William J. Mitchell

William J. Mitchell Biagio Giuseppi Micciulla, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 7, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Born on September 7, 1921, in SAgata Millitello, Sicily, he was the oldest child of Biagio and Caroline Vasi Micciulla. On April 16, 1947, he married his childhood neighbor and friend, Theresa E. Sberna, at the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue, Ohio. They were looking forward to celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary next week. Williams father came to America from Sicily before the rest of his family. He and his mother followed in August, 1929, when he was 7 years old. Because his father fought with the American Army during World War I, William automatically became an American citizen. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1941 and proudly served his country in the United States Army from August 1942 through October 1945. He was honorably discharged on November 11, 1945. William worked for the Nickel Plate Railroad and Norfolk & Western Railway as an air brake inspector/trainer until his retirement in 1982. He and Theresa lived most of their married life in Bellevue, Ohio and became the parents of Gina and Diane. While living in Bellevue, they were members of Immaculate Conception Parish. They moved to Sylvania, Ohio in November, 1999 to be closer to their children and grandchildren and became members of Little Flower Parish. William was very proud of his Italian heritage and enjoyed making sauce, canning peppers, and making Italian olives. He also enjoyed being with his family and often entertained them by playing the accordion and harmonica. On birthdays, you could count on a phone call from him playing Happy Birthday on his harmonica while wife, Theresa sang. If he felt particularly musical that day, a rousing rendition of Beer Barrel Polka would follow. He enjoyed big band music, especially Glenn Miller, and had a great talent for writing poetry about everyday life. William belonged to the American Legion, National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees, and Knights of Columbus. He lived a long full life and will be greatly missed by his family and friends, especially loving wife of almost 62 years, Theresa. He was Dad to daughters Gina A. Flowers and Diane E. Kudro; Nanu to grandchildren, Amy Brad Mayberry, Kevin Leslie Kudro, and to great-grandchildren, Dylan, Katelynn, Michael and Gabriel. Also surviving are siblings, Joe Marilynn Mitchell, Josephine Darby, Mary John Wagner and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by brother, Sam Mitchell; sister, Nina Creech, and son-in-law, Michael Flowers. Visitation will be private. Graveside services will take place at Resurrection Cemetery on Saturday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Joe Steinbauer presiding. A memorial Mass celebrating his life will take place at Little Flower Church on Wednesday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. The family is grateful to ProMedica Hospice nurses for the gentle loving care they provided. Memorials may be made to Little Flower Church or ProMedica Hospice Ebeid Center. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home 419-841-2422. Condolences may be shared with the family at www. walkerfuneralhome.com