William L. Bergman

William L. Bergman, 74, formerly of Genoa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at Riverview Healthcare Campus in Oak Harbor. Bill was born to Eldo and Agnes Tomme Bergman at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital in New York on January 12, 1943, in the midst of WWII. Bill was named after an admiral who was a classmate of his father’s at the US Naval Academy. Bill was the oldest of 14 children. Growing up in Genoa during the 50s and 60s gave him a rural playground with a beautiful quarry to swim in and farm fields to explore with his siblings. For high school, Bill traveled into Toledo daily to attend Central Catholic High School and was a member of the Class of 1962. He went on to study business and literature at St. Bede College in Illinois. Supporting the Boy Scouts of America was important to Bill. He was proud that he and his seven brothers all earned the rank of Eagle Scout, which was a record in Ohio. Bill and his brother, Hank, also attended National Jamborees and Philmont. Playing the clarinet with the Genoa American Legion Band was one of Bill’s proudest accomplishments. He and his friend, John Harris, would travel northwest Ohio to participate with the band in parades, concerts and in nursing homes throughout the summer months. John and Bill were two peas in a pod, each one helping the other. In spite of living with mental illness, Bill was able to be an active member of his community. After the passing of his brother, Hank, his sister-in-law, Ellen, continued on as his loving guardian helping him to live a productive life. His kind and gentle nature will be missed by his family, friends and the residents at Riverview Healthcare Campus. Bill is survived by his siblings: Eldo (Mary Ann) Bergman of Houston, TX, Joe (Mary) Bergman of Genoa, James (Donna) Bergman of Perrysburg, John (Kathryn) Bergman of Port Clinton, George (Cathy) Bergman of Oak Harbor, Chris (Kelly) Bergman of Swanton, Marie LaPointe of Oregon, Joan Bergman of Delaware, Barb Bergman of Toledo, Mary Perry of Grand Rapids, MI, Bessie (Tony) Mass of Walbridge and Cathy (Michael) Dzoba of Florida. He is also survived by sister-in-law, Ellen Bergman, and many nieces and nephews. His parents and brother, Henry W. Bergman, preceded him in death. Visitation for Bill will be 5-8 p.m., Monday, February 27, 2017, at the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 204 Main St., Genoa. Interment will take place in Clay Township Cemetery at a later date. Memorials for Bill may be directed to the Genoa American Legion Band, c/o Gloria Buck, 200 Earl St., Walbridge, OH 43465.