William Roger Bauer

William (Bill) R. Bauer, age 83, of Springfield, Ohio passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on November 19, 2024. He was born on December 29, 1940, to Elva and William E. Bauer in Springfield. He graduated from Springfield South High School in 1958. In 1974 he graduated from North Central University, Minneapolis, MN. He received a master’s degree from Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, Ohio in 1983 and a Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) from Graduate Theological Foundation in 1994. Bill was a board-certified chaplain and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. He served as a pastor and hospital chaplain. He served seven years in the Army National Guard.

Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years Sharon (Bartley) Bauer and three sons, William V. Bauer (Candie) of Jeffersonville, IN; Mark D. Bauer (Melissa) and Eric R Bauer (Vania Stefanova) of Cleveland and a sister, Barbara Harrell (Urbana, OH). His fourth son, Jeffrey G. Bauer and a great-granddaughter, Eva Juneja preceded him in death. Memories of them will be cherished by all who knew and loved them.

Bill is survived by his grandchildren; Ashlie and Derek Hatchitt (Spokane, WA), Jamie and Fahr Juneja (Prospect, KY), William and Megan Bauer (Fairfax, VA), Ben and Andrea Bauer (Cincinnati, OH), Zach Bauer & Maggie Wright (Cleveland, OH), Katy and Gustavo Cabarcas (Riverside, RI), Melanie and Doug Comer (Cincinnati, OH), Bridget and Colin Buckles (Cincinnati, OH), Laura Bauer and Angela Maupin (Verona, OH), Madison Bauer (Springfield, OH), Luke Bauer (Springfield, OH). Madison and Luke have lived with their grandparents (Bill and Sharon Bauer) for the last 10 years and became their surrogate parents since the death of their father, Jeffrey, in 2018. He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Jackson and Jadyn Hatchitt, Ella and Emme Juneja, William, Andrew and Amelia Bauer, Zoe Bauer, Annalise Cabarcas and Patrick Comer, his sister-in-law, Joyce Eichelberger and brother-in-law, Michael Bartley (Karen), brothers-in-law Faye Howard, Glen Hunter and Dale Eichelberger as well as many precious nieces and nephews. Bill was tremendously proud of his family and loved them with all his heart.

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On November 19, 2024, Bill went home “to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. (NT)” He was such a good man; his larger-than-life personality, gifts and contributions to his family and the world will live on in his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and all those he loved and served as pastor and chaplain. Oh, how he loved God, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and his loving, kind and generous extended family. We all so rejoiced in his laughter – an infectious laugh that brought loved ones so much joy! The movie Christmas Vacation watched each holiday season with grandchildren brought so much fun and laughter. Bill loved to travel and explored 48 states, China, Norway, Sweden and multiple trips to the Canadian Rockies. Bill was a lifelong learner, loved books and read a great variety of books every year of his life. His love of nature, expressed in fly fishing, the wonder of starry nights and each night sitting on the porch with his furry companion “Mickey.” He loved the holidays, good food, nice clothing and music. He will be greatly missed by all his family. We will remember him in ordinary days, in sunsets and sunrises, in family celebrations, in the music he loved. He will be forever missed. The family feels blessed to have shared his faith, generosity, intelligence, curiosity, creativity and love. He will forever live on in our hearts! He left a great legacy of love and service!

Visitation will be on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:00 AM followed by a noon memorial service at Jackson Lytle & Lewis Life Celebration Center located at 2425 N Limestone St, Springfield, OH. Interment will be held at South Vienna Cemetery, 9338-9114, U.S. Hwy 40, South Vienna, OH following the service.

Darren Eichelberger and Patrick Wicker will host a lunch at their home at 724 South Fountain Ave., Springfield, OH. All are welcome.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Salvation Army.