WILLIAM R. "BILL" KETTERER.

WILLIAM R. “BILL” KETTERER, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024. 

Born to William and Claire Ketterer in 1936, Bill grew up in the Westpark neighborhood of Cleveland. He had one older brother, Frank Ketterer, a career Naval Officer. He attended Our Lady of Angels grade school in Westpark and graduated from St. Ignatius High School  (‘54). He then went on to earn a BME in Engineering from the University of Detroit (‘59). In 1956, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Diane Hopkins. Together they raised three children: Kimberley, Mark, and Jeffrey. 

Professionally, Bill worked for a few well-known Cleveland area manufacturing companies right out of college. He eventually migrated over to the sales side of business as it held more interest when combined with his extroverted, out-going personality. He was a natural at sales and the consummate professional.

In 1978, he co-founded a manufacturing company—DCM Corporation in Valley City, Ohio. The company employed close to 180 people at its height and still exists today. In 1983 Bill sold DCM, and founded a professional engineered component sales firm—Back Bay Associates, Inc. in Rocky River, Ohio. His son Jeff joined the company in 1990 working side-by-side as business partners for the remainder of his career. Additionally, Bill was a minority/silent seed investor in several other successful companies. 

Personally, Bill enjoyed spending time with his family and wonderful friends throughout his life journey. He loved golfing, boating, and fishing. He spent many wonderful summers (42 years) creating priceless memories at the family’s beloved lakefront cottage—The Witch’s Castle—at Put-In-Bay on South Bass Island. He was a member of the  Put-In-Bay Yacht Club (PIBYC) and  served as Commodore in 1996. He always looked forward to manning the Committee Boat for the annual ILYA Junior regatta.

He was a long-time member of Lakewood Country Club (LCC) and mostly enjoyed skipping around the course late in the afternoons - just having fun! As  an avid Cleveland sports fan he was a long-time season ticket holder of both the Browns and the Indians (Guardians). So many special memories were made at Municipal Stadium and Progressive Field.

In short, Bill loved life and was always a very positive person. He took his Catholic faith very seriously and lived his faith by example. He had a knack for making friends and enjoyed making  those he interacted with feel relaxed —especially through the soothing balm of laughter.

He was the beloved husband of 67 years to Diane (nee Hopkins); loving father of Kimberley (Dennis), Mark (Jacqueline), and Jeffrey (Mary); proud grandfather of Erin (deceased), Samantha, Jane, and Jacob Ketterer; John, Jeffrey (Jennifer), and Christopher (Stephanie) Porter;  David Fahey (deceased), and Ryan (Heather) Nakata; great-grandfather of Owen, Liam, and Bentley; uncle and great-uncle of many. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Claire Ketterer, and his brother Frank Ketterer.  

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, St. Raphael Church (525 Dover Center Rd., Bay Village) at 10:30 A.M. Friends may greet the family at the church (before Mass) starting at 10 A.M. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Monastery of the Poor Clares, 3501 Rocky River Drive, Cleveland, OH 44111 or the  Alzheimer's Research Foundation at https://www.alzheimersresearchfoundation.com