William H. "Bill" Mongold

William H. "Bill" Mongold

William H. "Bill" Mongold, loving father, went home to be with the Lord after a fierce fight for his life and a new beginning, on Monday, January 21, 2008.

Born in 1940 in Maryland, Bill came to Ohio, following his big brother, Joe. He was known to some as "Wild Bill" because he was a rebel and lived life free, camping all summer long, riding his golf cart, building camp fires, enjoying time with friends, all the while respecting others. He was an extremely talented craftsman.

Preceded in death his first born, Kelly Lyn; parents; and sister, Cookie; he is survived by former wife, Karen; children, Kerry, Jeff (Susan), Shannon (Ted); 13 wonderful grandchildren and great-grandbaby; 10 loving siblings and many friends.

Dad, I want to say, "I'm sorry for many things ..for the sadness in your heart the days that I didn't come, for not protecting you more than I did, for the things you wanted to say that I never heard; my heart will forever ache remembering the day you told me, "I'm only gonna be here a couple of more days." Why didn't I realize what you actually meant? I would have never left you. You had so many stories left unheard, so many more hugs to give, so much knowledge to share. Yet I let you go with the stories and memories left to yourself. I could have been given such a precious gift...but choose not to receive it. Last Friday you were probably waiting to see me. you passed the test!! You could finally start eating again, how you so longed to do. I wasted that gift God had handed me time to spend with my dad on one of his best days -- a day to talk, to share, to smile. It was a gift greater than any material possession on earth. Why didn't I accept it? And now it will be Friday once again..my gift has passed, it is too late to collect. This Friday I will come, dad, but we won't laugh together, you won't get to tell me what you wanted to say. This Friday I won't see you do your therapy and tell you how proud I am, this Friday I can't spend holding your hand and making future plans..this Friday is your funeral. The night you left, I told my son that I didn't want to say goodbye. He told me not to; he said to tell you, Goodnight. We love you. "Goodnight Dad".

Funeral service will be held Friday, 1 p.m. at the Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Avenue, Barberton 44203, with Pastor Kim Lawrence officiating. Entombment will be at Rose Hill Burial Park. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. until time of service. Donations may be made in Bill's honor to NCPEA on line at www.preventelderabuse.org. (Campfield-Hickman-Collier, 330-745-3161)