William F. "Bill" Harder

William F. "Bill" Harder, Sr., 75, died September 20, 2012 at home surrounded by his family.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio, he had lived in the Akron area since 1960 and was a member of Star Lodge #187 F&AM. A licensed funeral director and embalmer for 42 years, Bill started out working for his father's funeral home in Hubbard and retired from The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory. Bill was very devoted to his family, loved his grandchildren and was the "best brother-in-law." He loved to garden and work in his flower beds, travel to Michigan and Las Vegas, fish, work in his shop and attend his grandchildren's sporting events.

Preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Florence; brother, Russell and sister, Suzanne McKinley; he is survived by his wife of 32 years, Merrily; children, William F. (Lori) Harder, Jr., Christopher L. (Karen) Harder, Cynthia Bell, Barbara (James) Kane, James Harder; 12 grandchildren; sister, Carole Eble; sisters-in-law, Karen Harder, Karen Parrish and Edwina Kearney; nieces and nephews; granddogs, Snickers and Blackie.

Bill's family wish to thank the doctors and staff of the ICU and 5400 floor at Akron General, Copley Health Center and Great Lakes Hospice for their care and compassion.

Services will be held 10 a.m. TUESDAY at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., with Rev. Fr. David K. Durkee officiating. Interment at Ira Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home MONDAY, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Great Lakes Hospice, 1530 W. Market St., Akron 44313.