William Rimmelin

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE- 50 YEAR SPAN- RADIO-TELEVISION-OUTDOOR Bill Rimmelin passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at ProMedica Hospice, Ebeid Inpatient Unit after a lengthy battle with cancer. He leaves behind a lifelong career of advertising in the Toledo area, as well as New York, Chicago, and Detroit. After graduating from DeVilbiss High School, Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps, participating in three major engagements in the South Pacific. He was very proud of his service to the Marine Corps and everyone who knew Bill knew that he was a Marine, First Division. Bill was associated with Canada Dry, Inc. as Marketing and Division Manager for the Detroit Plant covering the state of Michigan. After 3 years, Bill switched industries and began a successful career in radio advertising spanning 16 years in Toledo. He began with three years at WSPD and then joined WTOL Radio and TV for 12 years, rising from Account Executive to Vice President and General Sales Manager of Radio. Bill joined Shepherd Broadcasting in 1969 as General Sales Manager, became General Manager in 1970, and was elected Vice-President later that same year. He then purchased Casey Outdoor Advertising which he sold to his son, Brock, after 10 years to semi-retire to his home on Little Traverse Bay, in Charlevoix, MI enjoying over 30 years there. Despite his semi-retirement, Bills involvement and love of advertising kept him active until the end of his life. Bill enjoyed duck hunting, pheasant hunting, deer hunting, snowmobiling, and skiing for over 40 years. Travel was his passion, and together with his wife, Joyce, he traveled all over the world, logging over 125, 000 miles with Nomad Travel Club. His familiar greeting of Ole Ole Oh has been heard around the world. Bill truly marched to his own drummer, he loved telling stories of his Marine Corps days, his radio and television experiences, and would be the first man to buy everyone a cocktail; his favorite saying was Be nice to everyone, it takes a lot of people to make this world, you only go around it once. Most of all, Bill was a friend; he was a friend to many people of all ages, a friend for a lifetime. He always made time to share a story or to hear a story- it is those friends who will miss his smile and all of those pearly white teeth. Bill belonged to the downtown Kiwanis Club for over 25 years, was a past member of Highland Meadows Golf Club, Inverness Country Club, the Toledo Press Club, the Advertising Club of Toledo, the Toledo Elks Club, the Toledo Yacht Club, and the Toledo Ski Club. In addition to his wife of 35 years, Joyce; he leaves his sons, Brock, his wife Cindy and their children, Dodie, Mikey, and Lizzie of Perrysburg, OH; and Brad of Carlsbad, CA; sisters, Jeanne Hagerty of East Greenwich, RI and Dolores Reis of Newport Richey, FL; his canine companion, Jill; and special Goddaughter, Jeannie Hylant. Special thanks to Dr. Stephen J. Rubin, MD and Jennifer Ellegood, PA of the Hickman Cancer Center and also to Dr. Frank Barone, MD FACS and his entire staff for the care Bill received as their patient for years. Most especially, thank you to the entire staff of the ProMedica Hospice team for their excellent care and compassion in the days of Bills final journey. A special thanks to Wanda, Kelly and Nancy from a most grateful wife for all of their efforts to ensure Bills comfort and dignity. Also, thanks to the entire Hylant family for their love and support through all of the years after Big Bob left the Little Fella way too soon. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 28, 2010 from 4-7:00pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. with a traditional Irish Wake Service at 6:00pm. Funeral services will begin at 9:15am Monday with prayers at the funeral home followed by a 10:00am Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5373 Main St. Sylvania, OH 43560. Entombment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. The family suggests that friends consider contributions to ProMedica Hospice, Ebeid Hospice Residence, 5200 Harroun Rd. Sylvania, OH 43560. Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.