William C. McElwain

GRATIS TOWNSHIP — William C. McElwain, 78, of Gratis Township, passed away on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022, at the Cleveland Clinic.

He was born Feb. 21, 1944, in Middletown, to the late David and Juanita (Griffith) McElwain. He worked passionately as a highly skilled brick mason for 58 years. Bill enjoyed all his spare time training horses with his family for 4H shows/fairs throughout the past 40 years; tirelessly helping his daughter, granddaughter, nieces, great-grandsons or whomever needed or wanted his help learning the knowledge he had gained over the years. He was once referred to as "The Horse Whisperer," in the Chicago Tribune during one of his schooling clinics he attended where he demonstrated how to make his horse lay down just by using hand signals. He had a way with animals and people alike and was a father figure to many.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter Tina Gayle McElwain; stepmother Lucy McElwain; brother Gale McElwain; sister Nina Eck, and infant brother David McElwain.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Pauline McElwain of Gratis Township; daughter Julie (Ronnie) Webb of Gratis Township; granddaughter Taylor Daley of Gratis Township; great-grandchildren Thaddeus "Bubby" Brown Jr. and Grayson Brown, and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec. 31, from noon until time of funeral service at 2 p.m. at the Lighthouse Baptist Church, 7085 Gratis Jacksonburg Road, Camden, with Pastor Wayne Pendleton officiating. Burial will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at 1 p.m. at Miltonville Cemetery near Trenton.

Gard Funeral Home, Gratis, OH is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.gardfuneralhome.com.