William J. Darah Jr.

William “Bill” J. Darah, a prominent Toledo business owner for over four decades, passed away on December 9 at Sylvania Ebeid Center.

He was 75 years old and would have celebrated his 76th birthday on December 14. The cause of death was complications from prostate cancer, which he was diagnosed with in 2023.

Bill was the proud patriarch of a third-generation Syrian-Lebanese family. He was a born leader, a gifted storyteller, and a natural communicator. When asked for advice, which was often, he offered it unfiltered but always tempered with reason and wisdom.

As a businessman, Bill had a sharp intellect, outstanding management skills, and a remarkable ability to connect with new customers. In every deal and relationship, he was truly an all-star closer.

Bill was a man of tradition, embracing both his cultural heritage and his faith. He loved his church and his community. He was a legendary creature of routine. At pretty much every time and day of the week, you knew where to find Bill. That included a cousins’ lunch group he co-founded that met every Monday for more than 45 years.

A print news aficionado, Bill could engage in intelligent conversation on nearly any topic and was passionate about getting his points across. He was a devoted fan of the New York Yankees, Toledo Rockets, and Ohio State Buckeyes. Back in the day, Bill was an accomplished handball and squash player.

At the center of Bill’s universe were his wife, two daughters, and three grandchildren. He often said that his number one goal as a businessman was to provide for his family, and he succeeded in doing so with unwavering dedication.

Bill was born December 14, 1949, the son of William and Rose [Shemas] Darah. He was raised with his two sisters on Goddard Road in Old Orchard and graduated from DeVilbiss High School and the University of Toledo, where he earned a business degree with a major in marketing.

Two pivotal events helped shape Bill’s life. While at DeVilbiss, he joined Torio’s Health Club, where legendary owner Dick Torio helped him gain physical strength, confidence, and self-esteem. Later, as a freshman at the University of Toledo, he pledged Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, where he quickly became social and his calendar went from blank to booked.

Bill’s career path was inspired by his family at an early age. His father, William Sr. and his uncle, Paul Darah, owned Superior Overall Laundry, where he worked as a driver during his summer breaks. After graduation, he joined the company full-time as a service manager and account executive. In 1983, when the company opened a Dayton operation and needed someone to manage the operation for six months, his uncle Paul didn’t hesitate to say “Send Bill.” He was just 23.

Upon returning to Toledo, Bill and his late cousin Louis Darah became business partners and co-founded Superior Uniform Sales, Inc. The cousins also partnered together in a real estate investment company. Bill ran the uniform business while Louis handled the real estate ventures, each man perfectly cast for a long and successful run. Among Superior’s many customers, it has served the Toledo police and firefighters with uniforms for over four decades. In June 2022, after 40 years of leadership, Bill sold Superior Uniform Sales to Spirit Services of Columbus, Ohio.

In 1987, a blind date led Bill to the love of his life, Amira Binawy. After dating for six months, he proposed and they married six months later on October 8, 1988. Bill and Amira welcomed two daughters, Natalie in 1989 and Alyssa in 1991. For Bill, in his early 40s, his life was complete.

Amira, who matched her husband’s intellect and work ethic, was his perfect partner, and their love for each other was profound. Bill cherished his visits to Amira’s hometown of Fassouta in Upper Galilee. As a food connoisseur, he treasured Amira’s excellent Middle Eastern cooking, which carried the same warmth and love as his mother’s kitchen.

In 2016, Alyssa joined the family business as the sales and marketing director, working side by side with her father for six years. Bill took great pride in seeing his daughter thrive in a role that perfectly complemented his own skills. Nataile, drawn to her mother’s roots, married a Fassouta man and moved to the village. Bill’s bond with his eldest daughter remained strong, and his first call of the day – every day – was to Natalie.

A lifelong member of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, Bill was a chairman of the Parish Council. Bill also served as the president of the Toledo Handball Club and treasurer of Alpha Sigma Phi, University of Toledo chapter. One of his proudest achievements was co-chairing the 1985 Midwest Antiochian Orthodox Regional Conference, which featured a visit from the patriarch of the Eastern Orthodox Church in Antioch, Syria.

As Bill’s illness suddenly accelerated in recent weeks, affecting a seemingly indestructible man, Bill made peace with his life and bid farewell to those he loved. “I have lived a good life,” he told one and all.

For those he left behind, Bill’s absence leaves a piercing hole in the hearts of his many family members and friends. His legacy as an honest man and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and businessman will be remembered always.

Bill is survived by his wife, Amira; daughters Natalie [Mowafak] Jeries and Alyssa [Ben] Taylor; sisters Diana Cooper and Janice [Jeffrey Managhan] Darah; and grandchildren Tofik and William Jeries, and Sophia Taylor.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 11, at St. Elias Church, 4940 Harroun Rd, Sylvania, OH, 43560, with a Trisagion prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. at St. Elias Church on Friday, December 12 with Fr. Ephraim Vest and V. Rev. Archpriest Michael G. Shaheen officiating. Burial will follow at 12 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made to St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church.