William Berry

Biography

William K. Berry, 67, of Lancaster, Ohio went to be with the Lord; his father, William M. Berry; mother, Adeline (Zaleski) Berry; brother, Scott H. Berry; mother-in-law, Mary Beth Hollaway; and brother-in-law, Jeffrey Jay Hollaway, on July 15, 2011, at the Pickering House. Bill was born July 14, 1944, in Paterson, New Jersey. He had a loving, giving spirit and a soft spot in his heart for his seven grandchildren and step grandson to be.

Bill attended the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was a liberal arts major, varsity football, Sigma Nu, and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He had an M.B.A. From Fisher Business College at the Ohio State University. In his thirty plus year career with Anchor Hocking, including seven years after being acquired by Newell, he worked his way up the ladder from salesman in Chicago, Illinois to president of Anchor Hocking Consumer Glass Company from 1989 to 1994. He then became president of Goody Products, Peachtree City, Georgia, another company owned by Newell Rubbermaid. From 1998 to 2002 he served as the president of Indiana Glass Company, a division of Lancaster Colony Corporation, Columbus, Ohio. From 2002 to 2009 he worked as a consultant, CEO, or COO for seven different turnaround businesses.

Bill was active in many professional organizations: National Association of Chain Drug Stores, International House Wares Association, International Mass Retail Association, 225 Fifth Avenue Tabletop Association, G.C.M.I. Sub-Committee, and the Food and Beverage Industry Supplier Groups. He was also very active in community organizations: Member of the Chamber of Commerce, Fayette County, Georgia; Member of Advisory Board Ohio University, Lancaster, Ohio; Board of Directors Fairfield National Bank, Lancaster, Ohio; Chairman of the Board for New Horizons Mental Health Center, Lancaster, Ohio; YMCA Board Capital Campaign Chairman, Lancaster, Ohio; and Member of the Board for Lighthouse, Lancaster, Ohio.

He and his wife were members of a vacation club and loved to travel.

He is survived by his wife, Judi (Hollaway) Berry; father-in-law, Raymond Hollaway; son, Benjamin W. Berry, granddaughter, Audrey Berry, Benjamin's fiance, Dianna Dickson and her son Julian all of Lancaster; daughter, Wendy (Jason) Flom, granddaughter, Alison Flom, and grandson, Michael Flom all of New York City; daughter, Robyn (Wheeler) Powell, grandson, Connor Powell, and granddaughter, Meghan Powell all of Marietta, Georgia; daughter, Dana Berry of Aspen, Colorado; son, Todd (Mary Jo) Darling, granddaughter, Haley Darling, and grandson, Hayden Darling all of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota; nephews, Jay L. (Shannon) Hollaway, Jeff (Cheri) Hollaway; great nephew, Elliott Ray Hollaway; great niece, Lilith Hollaway; aunt, Jane (Earl) Johanson; and many cousins.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lancaster with Reverend William Pursley officiating. Cremation to follow. Family and friends are invited for refreshments in the under croft of St. John's after the service. Friends may visit from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Monday at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, Lancaster.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to FairHoPe Hospice, 282 Sells Rd, Lancaster, Ohio and/or St. John's Episcopal Church, 134 N Broad St, Lancaster, Ohio.

Funeral Service

Tuesday July 19, 2011 , 10:30 am at St. John's Episcopal Church

Calling Hours

Monday July 18, 2011 , 2-4 pm - 6-8 pm at Frank E. Smith Funeral Home