William E. Trader

FUNERAL HOME

Wise Funeral Service

129 W. Warren Street

Bucyrus, Ohio

William Trader Obituary

Name: Visitation for William E. Trader
Start: 2025-09-27T12:00:00.000Z
End: 2025-09-27T13:55:00.000Z
Location: Wise Funeral Service

William E. Trader, 86, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at his daughter's home under the care of Gentiva Hospice. He was surrounded by the love of his family during his final days.

Bill was born on November 22, 1938, in Folsom, West Virginia, to Audra Avis Trader. Tragically, Bill lost his mother at the tender age of two, and he was lovingly raised by his grandparents, George Dewey and Florence (Edgell) Trader. His early years were spent at the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Romney, where he formed lifelong friendships and developed a deep connection to the Deaf community.

It was during a visit to Ohio that Bill’s life took a fateful turn. He met Judith A. Trader at a social club for the Deaf. Their connection was immediate, and they were married on August 26, 1967. Bill and Judie made their home in Bucyrus, where they shared a life filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories until Judie’s passing on January 12, 2024.

Bill’s warmth, kindness, and infectious smile were the hallmarks of his character. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who found immense joy in being surrounded by his family. He especially loved attending the many events of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always eager to support and cheer them on.

In his working years, Bill’s career was marked by versatility and dedication. He started out working for a lumber company and a printing business in West Virginia before making a lasting impact at the Marion Star. Bill later worked in maintenance for the Bucyrus City Schools, ITT Electric in Galion, and concluded his career in maintenance at Bucyrus Walmart. His work ethic and commitment to helping others left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Outside of work, Bill had a variety of interests that brought him joy. He loved the outdoors, particularly hunting and fishing, where he made countless memories with family and friends. He was also an accomplished woodworker, crafting beautiful, handmade gifts that touched the hearts of those lucky enough to receive them. Bill’s love for sports, especially OSU football and basketball, was unwavering, but his roots in West Virginia remained strong. Bill was also an active member of the Mansfield Deaf Club and regularly attended the Lutheran Church for the Deaf, where he was surrounded by a supportive community.

Bill is survived by his two children, Jennifer (Charles Johns) Trader Haines and Jeffrey (Marilyn) Trader; seven grandchildren, Katelyn (Joshua) Colborn, Jeremiah (Courtney Powell) Haines, Zachary Haines, Amelia (Thomas) Lewis, Mackenzie Haines, Cecilia Trader, and Eliana Trader; six great-grandchildren; his sister in law, Mary Jo Seif; and several nieces who will all miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judith; his grandparents George Dewey and Florence (Edgell) Trader; aunts and uncles, Garland and Alice Pearl Young; Dale Trader; Dorman Trader, Lucy Lough, and Jaunita Sola.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 27 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Family will receive friends from 12-1:55 pm and the funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm with Pastor Dreama Caudill officiating. An interpreter will be present for all services to ensure that Bill’s Deaf community can fully participate in the celebration of his life. Bill will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions can be made payable to Carrie Berlin for The Education Service Center Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program, a K-12 program in a mainstream setting that has full access to teachers of the Deaf and educational interpreters. The program meets students where they are and walks with students and families to ensure happy, high quality Deaf and Hard of Hearing adults for our communities. Contributions can be made through the funeral home.

The Trader family will cherish the kind words, memories, and photos shared on the guestbook of Bill’s tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Crawford County Now on Sep. 17, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for William Trader

4 Entries

Randy Hertzer

September 27, 2025

To Jeff and Jennifer, please accept my most heart-felt condolences on the passing of your father on this day that you are honoring his life.

Bill was a good friend to me when I was in high school, and we enjoyed many activities together such as basketball, fishing and playing cards. Through him, I also got to meet your lovely Mom and we also became friends.

Knowing your Dad´s love of basketball, you´ll appreciate how we met: one cold, winter afternoon on a weekend I was in my driveway (which was stone by the way) shooting baskets. Our driveway/garage was behind our house on Clark St. and our property butted up against the yard where your parents lived in their apartment.

One day, as I was shooting baskets your Dad came over and motioned that he was interested in joining my game. I gladly welcomed him. Shortly thereafter, he and Judy gave me a sheet of paper with the ASL alphabet so I could at least spell out words to communicate.

It didn't take long before I learned to spell, and some other signs, so we could communicate more easily without pen and paper. And I shared that with my younger sister, Robin, who also learned it very quickly. Knowing a "secret" language made it a lot of fun to share things even in front of our parents, who didn´t know what we were saying.

Along with basketball, Bill and I went fishing often, memories that I still recall with great fondness, and your parents, Robin and I often would play Euchre together in their apartment.

Those seemed like such uneventful times as they were happening, but they had a huge impact on my life and are now among my most cherished memories. I actually began college wanting to be an educator at a deaf school and did my teacher observing at school for both hearing and vision impaired students in Cleveland during the early Fall of 1972.

I later discovered my love of journalism and communications so I never finished that special degree. But despite that, I tried to maintain my knowledge of signing because I knew there would be times that it would be needed in my media career (and there was).

Plus, I´ve always felt ASL is a genuinely beautiful and artistic way for people to communicate.

Please know that memories of your father (and mother) will always remain very dear to me and hold a special place in my life. Also Know that I am thinking of your Dad on this day and saying prayers for him, Judy, and for your family.

Anthony Fields

September 20, 2025

I praying for "bill
I remember him all talking about sports, his story, my neighbors in Columbus Colony Housing, I think one year, he laughed and so funny, and he now go heaven with Jesus, So I am sorry and pray his family.

Bob Laipply

September 18, 2025

To Jennifer, Jeff and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. We have been friends for so many years dating back to when we were neighbors on Walnut street and our families were raised together. I have fond memories of both Bill and Judy and you two and I will cherish them always. Sincerely, Bob and Sandy Laipply

Sandy Trader Sokoll

September 17, 2025

My sincere condolences on William´s-Babe´s-death. Also, my prayers for the family.

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