William Eldon Hitch

William E. Hitch, 63, of Frankfort, died at his home on Monday morning, October 2, 2023. He was born on Monday December 7, 1959, in Ross County, the son of the late William F. and M. Virgene Albert Hitch. On October 8, 2011, he married the former Gail S. Stegbauer, who preceded him in death on April 5, 2022.

Bill is survived by one daughter, Leslie (Jason) Azbell of Chillicothe, step-daughters, April (Chad) Smith of Bloomingburg, Gwen Laurens of Washington Court House, three grandchildren, Will Long, Kaitlynn Smith, Britney Smith, two great-grandchildren, Liam Leisure, Coleson Smith, two sisters, Cameron Nesser of Chillicothe, Cheryl (Clay) Carmean of Grove City, one brother, Shane A. (Rebecca) Hitch of Chillicothe, and Leslie's mother and his former wife, Marilyn "Jeanie" Morris. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Kimberly Shoemaker.

Bill was a 1978 graduate of Adena High School, and retired from Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, where he worked as a correctional officer. He additionally worked at Hiser Seed for more than 20 years. Bill was a member of the Frankfort Free & Accepted Masons Lodge 309, Pheasants Forever Club, and he attended Brown's Chapel United Methodist Church. Bill loved being outdoors, farming, and hunting.

A funeral service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 7, 2023, in the EBRIGHT FUNERAL HOME, Frankfort, with Pastor Vera Welker officiating. Burial will follow in Brown's Chapel Cemetery, Clarksburg. Friends are invited to visit with Bill's family at the funeral home on Saturday from 11am until the time of service.