Willard D. "Bill" Hartley

Willard D. "Bill" Hartley, 91, of Waverly, Ohio, went to be with the Lord 3:08 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Bill was born on November 17, 1934 to the late Roscoe Hartley and Mary (Blaum) Bachmann. He spent most of his childhood with his grandparents, Charles and Matilda (Landrum) Blaum.

He was united in marriage to Barbara (Thompson) Hartley on January 29, 1954.

He is survived by his wife, son Paul (Shelia) Hartley, daughters Paula (Dave) Humphreys and Patricia Hartley. He was blessed with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He had two brothers, Edward (Kathleen) Blaum and Fred (Renee) Bachmann, and a sister, Donna (John) Bachmann Aken.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Edward Blaum, and close brother-in-law, Frank Conkel.

Bill was a 1952 graduate of Waverly High School and attended the Ohio University. He served in the United States Army at Fort Sam Houston base in San Antonio, TX. He was a member of the Gideons International.

Bill was an avid golfer and loved collecting Lionel trains. His favorite hobby and love were his amazing abilities to create things from wood. He made numerous pieces of furniture for himself and Barbara in their Waverly and Spring Hill, Florida homes. He also made pieces for his children and grandchildren, as well as friends. He enjoyed broadcasting the Waverly High School football and basketball games in the 70's for WPKO/WIBO radio station in Waverly. One of his favorite past-times was hanging out at Pike Chevrolet, Waverly with his good friends John McAllister, Lloyd ("Shorty") Francis and Coach Carroll Hawhee.

Bill was employed by the N& W Railroad, Boston Steel Mill and then Goodyear Atomic Plant before moving to Spring Hill, Florida in 1984. He was then employed by Lykes Pasco Citrus Packing Company, Dade City, Florida until he retired. Upon retirement he decided to obtain his CDL license to drive cross county for Surrate Transport, Dade City, Florida. He enjoyed his many trips to the west coast and being able to travel through parts of the United States he had never seen.

Bill was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church in Waverly before moving to Spring Hill, FL. He transferred his membership to Mariner United Methodist Church, Spring Hill, FL. in 1984 where he was also a very active member. Upon returning to Waverly in August, 2022, his membership was transferred to Calvary Methodist Church in Waverly.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Boyer Funeral Home, Waverly, Ohio with Pastor David Burriss officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Union Cemetery, Bridge Street, Waverly.

The family will receive friends 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2026 and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at Boyer Funeral Home, Waverly.

The family would like to thank United Energy Workers and Heartland Hospice for the wonderful care that Dad received during the past years. In lieu of flowers, the family would request that donations be made to Calvary Methodist Church, 107 W 3rd Street, Waverly, Ohio.

boyerfuneral.com