Dr. William Thomas Kensler, O.D.

Dr. William Thomas Kensler, O.D. age 94 passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 6, 2021 surrounded by loved ones at his daughter Ann’s Sugar Grove, Ohio residence.

Bill Kensler was born on March 29, 1926 in Knox County, IN.  As a boy he and his siblings helped work the family’s farm in southern Indiana.  He later graduated from Bosse High School in Evansville, IN.  His first job was with American Optical which inspired him to later become an Optometrist. He served the last two years of World War II in the Navy aboard the mine sweeper U.S.S Seer, sweeping for mines in the South Pacific.  After the war, he met Sue Ellen Zopf on a blind date and they were married on August 24, 1950. After they married Bill and Susie moved from Evansville, IN to Columbus, OH to attend The Ohio State University.  Dr. Kensler earned his Doctor of Optometry from OSU and began his Optometry practice in Delaware, OH.  In 1956 he moved his practice to Hilliard, OH, where the practice still serves the Hilliard community today under Dr. Craig Coleman, O.D.  His first daughter Lisa Ellen was born on July 4, 1957 and his second daughter Ann Merilee was born on July 2, 1961.

Bill always loved farming and in 1965 he and Susie purchased 20 acres of land in Sugar Grove, OH where they built a small farm on which they raised horses for their two daughters.  After Dr. Kensler retired his Optometry practice to Dr. Coleman, he and Susie moved permanently from Hilliard to the farm in Sugar Grove.  Bill lost Susie to cancer on January 10, 2000.

Bill took on an additional family when he married Mary Margaret Conrad on January 5, 2002. He then joined the  First English Lutheran Church.  He enjoyed many years with Mary Margaret and his step son and grandson Roger and Christian Conrad.  He and Mary Margaret remained married until his passing on February 6, 2021.

He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Hannamore Kensler, brother Leland (Wilma), sister Anita, wife Sue Ellen and daughter Lisa Ellen (David) Ogg.

He is survived by his brother Gary (Diana) of Evansville, IN, wife Mary Margaret, stepson Roger Conrad, daughter Ann Merilee all of Sugar Grove, OH, grandchildren Bethany Longfellow and Joshua Longfellow, step-grandson Christian Conrad and great grandchildren Brooke Longfellow, Keaton Longfellow, Grant Anderson and Griffin McClure and nieces and nephews Paula Kensler (Lucy Lejeune) of Kenner, LA, Thomas (Rob Kahn) Kensler of Seminole, FL, Peggy (Patrick) Hinman of Crystal River, FL, Pamela (Mark) Miller of Gautier, MS, Penny (Brian) O’Sullivan of Ventura, CA, Pandala Kensler of Gulfport, MS, Becky (Paul) McKittrick of Manitou Springs, CO, Robert (Jean) Von Zopf of Portland, Oregon and William (Karen) Zopf of Portland, Oregon and many grand nieces and nephews.

Bill was a wonderful man who was loved by all his family and many friends.  He will be profoundly missed.

A graveside service will be held in Stuckey Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Ohio on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Brian Dillahunt officiating.  Arrangements are being handled by the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, LANCASTER, OHIO.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Pickering House 282 Sells Rd., Lancaster, Ohio 43130.