William John Urbank

William John Urbank, age 75, of Dover, OH, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home.

March 2, 1950 – October 5, 2025

Preceded in death by his brother Stephen; mother Lucinda (Williams); father Paul; and loving wife of nearly 43 years, Carol Ann (Valenzisi).

Survived by his son William Jr, (Danielle); siblings, Paul (Ann), Mark, Tony, Christine, and Joe; his Uncle Philip Urbank; Aunt Ronda; and a plethora of cousins!

Bill was an avid hunter throughout his adult life, hunting deer and small game alike. In his later years he developed a passion for prairie dog hunting as well. In the early 80s Bill began to shoot IHMSA silhouettes. His interest in competition grew exponentially, developing accurate loads for each gun, then casting his own bullets when commercial products would not do. Bill attended club matches nearly every weekend at different venues across Ohio and Pennsylvania. Bill also competed in numerous State, Regional, and International Championships across the country. Bill was also known for repairing firearms of any type. He was consistently consulted during matches if a fellow competitor’s equipment failed, and worked quickly and competently to get them back to the firing line. Never in the spotlight, Bill would always be one of the main characters involved in running a match or repairing targets and equipment wherever the match was located. Beginning in 2001, Bill was a main character in the team that built the IHMSA Eastern Permanent Range in Midvale, Ohio.

After graduating from Woodridge High School in 1968, and a year or so of college at Kent State University, it was time for Bill to join the Armed Forces. Bill spent 4 1/2 years in the Navy. The part of his service he loved most were the two summers he served in Antarctica as an E5/Bupersman, in Operation Deep Freeze.

When he came home after the service, he was hired on to the B&O railroad, now CSX Transportation. Bill spent 22 years there starting as a track maintenance equipment repairman and ultimately worked his way up to Regional Track Maintenance Equipment Supervisor. After leaving the railroad he worked for three other companies as Fleet Maintenance Supervisor but in his heart, he always considered himself a railroader.

Bill was an amazing man; he was always very positive and rarely complained. He enjoyed listening to stories and sharing some yarns of his own. Bill was unique, rarely complained, always one to look for solutions rather than criticize the problem. Bill was always there to help. He was never one to take the spotlight but always there to help others be successful. Anyone who spent time with Bill left happier and more knowledgeable.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or Boys Town, boystown.org/donate.

Friends may call FRIDAY, October 17, 2025, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333, where memorial service will take place SATURDAY, October 18, at 10:00 AM. Inurnment immediately following in Northampton Cemetery, Cuyahoga Falls.

Services in care of the Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. Fairlawn, OH 44333.