James W. Weber

James William Weber, age 91, passed away surrounded by his loved ones on January 4, 2025. He was born to Wilbur Warren Weber and Marian Gertrude (Everson) Weber on August 26, 1934 in Steubenville, Ohio. The baby was immediately known as Bill or Billy. Bill grew up in Brilliant, Ohio and participated and led many church groups, and then attended Brilliant High School where he played the trombone and participated in musical programs including a quartet of four friends.

Bill was called to be a minister at an early age. He attended OSU for his freshman year but missed the small-town feel. He decided to transfer to Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia. He was very active in the college starring in several plays and was a member of many vocal groups. After graduation he chose to attend Butler Theological Seminary which later became Christian Theological Seminary located in Indianapolis, Indiana. He had been selected to be the minister of two churches, Saturn Christian Church and Laud Christian Church in Whitley County. Bill and his wife, Luana Ashton Weber Funk, resided there for several years. They had three sons, James William, Thomas Charles and John Warren.

While Bill was in Columbiana, Indiana he became the truant officer for Whitley County Schools. Throughout all of this time since college, Bill was also in the Navy Reserves for 8 years' service and serviced as a Navy Corpsman. He enjoyed his time in the Navy but ran out of time as his Church duties broadened. After Indiana he decided to head toward home and became the Minister of the Belair Christian Church in Ohio where he stayed. He then went to Ashland Christian Church and later to Columbus, Ohio. He married Karen Sabinsky and they had a baby boy and named him Joshua David.

He was called to Obetz Christian Church. He married the love of his life on December 16, 1982, Brenda Rainey Weber, and they recently celebrated 43 years of marriage. In that time they were privileged to spend time with each other's children, Megan Marie, Eric Allan and Joshua David, and beloved grandchildren. Bill worked for the State of Ohio for many years in Adult Protective Services where he was instrumental in writing laws that are still used today. Bill eventually was called to and then retired from Gender Road Christian Church after over 55 years in the ministry.

After retirement he took a part-time job at Thrifty Car Rental driving a shuttle bus which he loved. He met many people and local VIPs' during his tenure of 10 years. He had said he always wanted to be a bus driver and was able to realize his childhood dream. Throughout their marriage Bill and Brenda traveled every spring and fall to Florida and took at least 12 cruises over the years. Their time together was spent supporting each other and loving to be part of family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur Weber and Marian (Everson) Weber; son, Thomas Weber; sister, Alice Weber-Ferguson.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Brenda Rainey Weber; his children, James Weber, Jr., John Weber, and Joshua (Megan) Weber; his step-children, Megan (Eric) Michael and Eric Hysell, Jr.; grandchildren, Natalie & Corey, Jessie, Cailin & Isaiah, and Marissa, Aliyah, Russell & Dominic; and step-grandchildren, Cormac (Lilly) & Gwynneth, and Jacob, Faith & Addison; neice and nephew, Cindy Persina and Timothy Ferguson.

Arrangements in the care of Dwayne R. Spence funeral home, Canal Winchester.

A celebration of life will be held at the Gender Rd. Christian Church, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, starting at 12:30PM.