William Robert Reiner

William Robert Reiner passed away peacefully on October 15th, 2025, in Canal Winchester, Ohio.

Bill was born in Columbus on December 8th, 1935, to Gottlob (George) and Emilie (Götz) Reiner. The family spent Bill's earlier years in Columbus, then moved to Reynoldsburg, Ohio, which was mostly rural then. He graduated from Reynoldsburg High School, then went on to obtain a bachelor's degree in business administration from Capital University. After college, he served for several years in the Army National Guard.

While attending college, Bill fell in love and married his lovely wife, Lenore (Lee). Together they forged a wonderful life shoulder-to-shoulder, raising three fine sons and creating priceless lifetime memories of family vacations, camping, and eye-rolling dad jokes for them all.

A baker by profession, he co-owned and operated Reiner's Bakery with his brother Fred. The business had been started by their father in German Village, and was especially renowned for their doughnuts, still remembered by many loyal patrons to this day. After the brothers sold the business, Bill continued baking for the Lancaster branch of the Big Bear grocery stores. In retirement, to everyone's delight, he continued to bake. He'd often greet family at the door with his wife in their matching holiday aprons, eager to share scrumptious home-baked cookies and German Stöllen.

Bill was devoted for decades to activities within his faith community. He coached sports teams, taught Sunday School, provided food for the homeless, served on the church governing board, and sang in the church choir. He had seemingly endless energy (known to some as the "Energizer Bunny") to give to others, contributing his time and skills to his church and weekly community lunches.

Bill had a deep appreciation for the natural world and a solid conservation ethic, which he instilled in his sons. He expressed these through birding, gardening, nature study, composting, recycling, contributions to environmental organizations, and family vacations to national parks and other natural areas. Bill enjoyed many years in retirement being active with hiking and going on vacations with his wife, touring Iceland, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawai'i, many national parks, and more. They had "collected" national parks and were up to a count of 28!

Bill was a passionate birder who loved spending time in nature, hiking, and birding with his sons. He built his dream home, where he carved out a haven for nature, filling decades of summers with gardening and watching the many birds he attracted with what easily became thousands of pounds of birdseed. The good stuff. He participated in Project Feeder Watch and the Christmas Bird Count. Sadly, however, he was never able to spot the elusive Fleagle-headed Floogle that he long hoped to find.

Especially in later years, Bill cherished nothing more than time with family. He was a wonderful husband, dad, friend, and community member who will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Anna, and his two brothers, Walter and Frederick. He is

survived by his wife of 66 years, Lee; sons William Jr. (Warren), Gary (Karen), Eric (Stephanie); and granddaughter Anna Saha (Alex).

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at Canal Winchester Care Center and Echo Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Open Shelter at https://theopenshelter.org/donate/

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, Canal Winchester, is assisting the family with arrangements.