William Firman Schenck Jr.

1945 - 2016

Schenck William Firman Schenck Jr. "The seasons pass the years will roll. Time and change will surely show how firm thy friendship O-HI-O!" Age 71, Bill died peacefully on April 8, 2016. He was raised in Winchester, VA, and was a longtime resident of Xenia. He was preceded in death by his parents William Firman Sr. and Hilda Claire "Penny" Schenck. He is survived by his children, Elizabeth (Ian) Willoughby, Ashley Schenck, Sarah (Bill) Ackman, and Savannah Schenck; grandchildren, Connor Daugherty, Katherine and Caroline Willoughby, Ronnie Trent, and Liam Ackman; brother, Robert (Elizabeth) Schenck; and sister, Ann (James) Clark; numerous nieces, nephews and relatives, as well as a host of business colleagues and friends. Bill earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond in 1966, and his Juris Doctor from THE Ohio State University College of Law in 1969. He was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1970, the Federal Bar in 1971 and to practice before the United States Supreme Court in 1977. Bill joined the Greene County Prosecutor's Office as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in 1971. After a brief tenure with the Dayton law firm of Bieser, Greer & Landis in the mid-1970's, he returned to the Greene County Prosecutor's Office in 1977, serving as an Assistant Prosecutor under Mike DeWine. In 1980, Bill was elected to his first term as Greene County Prosecutor and was re-elected to the position, unopposed, for an additional six consecutive terms, retiring in 2006. His legal career took him to the United States Attorney's Office from 2006-2011, where he served as an Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. In 2011 he joined the staff of the Ohio Attorney General's Office, serving as Senior Counsel to the Attorney General until his final retirement in 2015. Bill's long and distinguished legal career as a prosecuting attorney was marked by numerous achievements in and out of the courtroom. He was a skilled trial attorney, successfully trying well over 300 criminal cases during his career, including several capital murder cases. In 1987, he served as special counsel to the Iran Contra Committee of the US Congress. In 1998, he was appointed as special counsel to the US Senate Judiciary Committee during the impeachment proceedings of President Clinton. From the earliest moments of his career, Bill displayed a profound sensitivity for the rights and needs of crime victims and gained a national reputation for his tireless work in their behalf. In 1982 he created the Victim/Witness Division in the Greene County Prosecutor's Office, one of the early victim assistance programs in the State of Ohio. He testified before the US House of Representatives in 1984, supporting passage of the Victims of Crime Act. In 1992 Bill was again summoned to Washington DC, appearing before the Judiciary Committee of the US Senate, to advocate passage of the Violence Against Women Act. He joined the Board of Directors of the National Organization for Victim Assistance in 1987, and was elected President of the Board for two terms 1991-1993. Bill shared his legal expertise with colleagues, selected by the National District Attorney's Association as a faculty member for the National Advocacy Center on the campus of the University of South Carolina. In 2002-2003 he was appointed to the Executive Committee of the Ohio Prosecuting Attorney's Association and served as Chair of the Amicus Committee, providing appellate briefs on major legal issues in support of county prosecutors across the state of Ohio. Bill thoroughly enjoyed the practice of law during the many years of his professional career, and he was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations. He had many personal interests and was most notably an avid sports fan. As a long-time season ticket holder for the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals, he rooted for them through thick and thin. His dedication to the Ohio State Buckeyes was legendary. He rarely missed a football game in the "Shoe" and traveled to most away games. When the Buckeyes made it to a bowl game, Bill was there. He had season basketball tickets as well. He counted many members of the OSU coaching staff and athletic department as friends. He shared the Buckeye experience with all of his children, taking the girls to games beginning at a young age. Golf was Bill's other true passion, as both spectator and player. He spent as much time as possible on local courses. Traveling with friends to attend golf tournaments and play courses across the country was a favorite pastime. Bill was a larger than life personality, with charisma to spare. He had a wealth of friends and professional colleagues. During his life he crossed paths with people from all walks of life. He had an ability to befriend virtually anyone, from well known personalities to the everyday man on the street. Bill had a very sensitive spot for those in need, often taking people under his wing. He demonstrated a generosity of spirit and compassionate support for many different people. He touched so many lives, making a significant and lasting impression, and will be missed. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Butler and Warren County. Service in care of McCOLAUGH FUNERAL HOME, INC. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.mccolaughfuneralhome.com.