William K. Heckler

William K. Heckler (April 4,1925-June 6, 2025)

William K. Heckler died on June 6, 2025, at StoryPoint Senior Living Community in Waterville, Ohio. He was born to William Martin Heckler and Verda (Saul) Heckler on April 4, 1925, on a farm outside of Liberty Center, Ohio, and graduated from Grand Rapids High School in 1943. A lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio, he lived in Waterville and later in Delta. A World War Two veteran, he entered the US Army in January 1944 and served in the Signal Corps. He was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre, serving in New Guinea.

In the year after the armistice, he married June E. Rowland, the daughter of Mildred and Carl Rowland of McClure, Ohio, on Aug. 23,1946. June graduated as salutatorian from McClure High School in June 1941 and later attended St. Vincent’s School of Nursing under the auspices of the US Army Nursing Corps, where she received her RN degree in September 1945. June died on Feb. 17, 2015.

In the same year that Bill was discharged from the Army, he took a job with Ohio Bell and served for 38 years until 1984. He found enjoyment in refinishing furniture and volunteered at the Delta Public Library and the Open Door for many years. Both Bill and June were avid readers. They raised six children: Mark K. (deceased) survived by Marilyn (Bird), Bill (Diana), Eric, Beth McSurley (Robin), Kathy, and Kim. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Both donated their bodies to the University of Toledo Medical Center for medical education.

The family asks that you make donations in their memory to the Delta Public Library or Feeding America.