William Robert Oehlenschlager

William R. "Bill" Oehlenschlager Jr., 85, of Wadsworth died Wednesday, June 5, 2024. He was born September 12, 1938, in Conneaut, Ohio to the late William Robert and Evelynn Oehlenschlager.
Bill was a graduate of Youngsville, PA High School, received his Bachelor's Degree from Slippery Rock College and his Master's Degree from Oklahoma University. Bill and his wife, Eunice, moved to Wadsworth in 1962 and have resided there ever since. Bill's vocation was teaching, and he was a natural. He began his career teaching General Science classes at Wadsworth Junior High.
He was at the Junior High for several years before finding his home as a Biology teacher at Wadsworth Senior High School, where he happily spent the last 27 years of his career. During his tenure for Wadsworth City Schools, he also coached a variety of sports from football to girls' tennis, but he was best known for the accomplishments of his track and cross-country teams. Along the way he became known to most within the Wadsworth community as Coach "O". Bill was highly respected as both a teacher and coach, influencing countless students and athletes including his own son and daughter. His efforts earned him numerous teaching awards and a place in the Wadsworth Sports Hall of Fame. Coach "O" was an accomplished athlete in his own right who carried his passion for athletic competition and fitness into the late years of his life. He competed in a multitude of running road races into his 60's and was religious about his daily fitness routine, including plenty of bicycle rides into his 70's. Notably, his fitness journey included the completion of 3 marathons and a 700-mile bicycle expedition. After his retirement from the Wadsworth Schools in 1993, Bill became interested in videography. He merged his new hobby and his passion for sports to produce several seasons of a Clapper Award winning show, "The Sports Scene", for WCTV.
Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Eunice, son Bill (Sherry) and daughter Lori (Kyle) Julien. Bill was grandfather to William "Mitch" (Kristin) Oehlenschlager, Jeremy Oehlenschlager, Grace Julien, Ella Julien and Nathan Julien. Bill is also survived by a great grandson, William "Jack" Oehlenschlager.
The family would like to extend thanks to the staff at The Inn at Coal Ridge, to Harmony Hospice and to Pastor Sarah of First Christian Church. We would also like to thank the many former students who have gone out of their way over the years to let us know the positive impact Coach "O" had on them.
Per Bill's wishes there will be no funeral services.
In lieu of flowers, Bill would be honored by donations to the Friends of the Wadsworth Trails (www.fowt.org ).