Lorain, OH-William “Billy” Gratz, 71, passed away while under the care of New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, OH, at his home surrounded by his loving family, on Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018.
He was born on Aug. 12, 1947, in Baltimore, MD, but raised in West Virginia. After high school graduation is when he moved to Lorain.
Billy was a left hand body floor man for Ford Motor Company, Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake for 35 years, before retiring from there in 2003. After retirement, he kept himself out of trouble by working as a bus monitor for First Student. While working there, he was proudly part of the group that affectionately referred to themselves as “The Dream Team.” Billy truly enjoyed what he did and always looked forward to going to work. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
Any free time he had, Billy loved to get out and cruise on his Harley anywhere he could. He liked being outside and enjoying the warm sunshine. You could usually find him sitting outside of his house just being content watching the traffic go by, if he wasn’t out on his bike. He liked working crossword puzzles and playing solitaire on the computer. His greatest love in life was his grandchildren. They had a special place in his heart that he cherished.
William is survived by his wife of 21 years, Martha Sue (nee Schrader) Gratz; his children, Timothy (Amanda) Gratz, Steven (Billie Jo) Gratz, Robert (Connie) Gratz, Clayton Parker and Scotty Parker; his 12 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren; and his siblings, Barb, Wilma, Richard, Sharon, Ronald and Naomi.
He was preceded in death by a son, David, in 2002; his parents, William Henry Sr., and Edith Grace (nee Boals) Gratz; and two sisters, Rosemary and Pauline.
The family received friends on Wednesday, Aug. 15 in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, where his funeral service was held on Thursday. The Rev. Jerry Rogers, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon.
The family would like to suggest that memorial contributions be made to the Mercy New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, 3700 Kolbe Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053.
To send an online condolence, go to www.dovinreberjones.com.