H. William (Bill) Lake, Jr.

H. William (Bill) Lake, 81, of Port Clinton, Ohio, passed away October 24, 2022 at home with his children by his side. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on February 4, 1941 to the late Betty (Allen) Hawthorne and Herbert William Lake.

Bill was a 1959 graduate of Springfield High School where he was on Student Counsel, President, on the school paper and yearbook staff and a member of the track team. He also played in the band and told stories of getting to play in the Big House. When Bill was a child and in his early teens he spent his summers traveling with his grandfather who worked with a carnival. He was a veteran of the United States Navy in which he shared many stories of his adventures and travels on the USS Topeka (CLG-8). Bill was always a hard working person, as a young teen he worked the carnival rides with his grandfather, in high school he was a student helper with the high school maintenance/custodial staff. He worked at a rail yard in Battle Creek and worked for Roadway Trucking Company. He finished up his working years at the United States Gypsum company where he retired after 25 years of employment. He always was a provider for his family.

He was a loving husband to his late wife, Connie Lake of 48 years. They were always together and a joy to be around. He was an awesome father that knew when to give advice, knew when to listen and knew when to tell you how it is. He was a kind and gentle grandpa who admired his three grandchildren and always enjoyed being around them. He enjoyed woodworking, golfing, camping and sitting around the picnic table with family and friends with a beer in his hand. In his later years he enjoyed being with his family and grandchildren, sitting in the backyard swing, reading his daily newspaper and scratching his daily lottery ticket. He had a great sense of humor and was a person you could always count on when needed. He had a love for animals and always had a calm demeanor about him. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

Words of advice, always listen to your parents stories even if it is the hundredth time they told it, because you will miss the sound of their voice and their presence and someday you may be retelling those stories.

Bill is survived by his children, Thomas (Sport) Lake, Jennifer (Dow) Simpson; grandchildren, Mackenzie Lake, Rachel Simpson and Dylan Simpson.

The family would like to thank Chris Millinger, Shoshana and all of Dr. Steele's staff, and ProMedica Hospice for all their help and support. Thank you to Cathy Hiller for the delicious meals and cookies.

Bill will be cremated under the direct care of the Gerner-Wolf-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 216 Washington St., Port Clinton, OH. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Bay Township Hall on Saturday, December 17, 2022 from noon to 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in memory of Bill may be given to the Ottawa County Humane Society, Alzheimer's Association, Wounded Warrior Project, ProMedica Hospice Memorial Fund or a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.waIkerfuneraIhomes.com.