William “Bill” Henry Criss Jr.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die…” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2a William (Bill) Henry Criss Jr born on August 28, 1941, in Salem, Ohio to William Henry Sr and Ida Mae (Allison) Criss, went to meet his Lord and Savior early Monday December 30, 2024. 

 Bill attended Salem Local Schools until his junior year of high school when he went on to graduate from Sebring High School in 1959. Upon graduating, Bill served his country in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964. He worked in Lordstown at General Motors from 1966 to 1996 during which time he attended Youngstown State University to obtain an associate’s degree in accounting. Never missing a beat, Bill started his Criss Tax Service business while still working full time at General Motors. Bill finally handed over Criss Tax Service to his son William Mark Criss in 2021. 

Bill lived a full life with his wife of 59 years, Elaine (Dorsey). They always enjoyed traveling, whether it be their many trips to Myrtle Beach, treks out west, or just down to Amish country, they were always on the move. He enjoyed coaching baseball, getting out on the golf course, church league softball, knocking down pins at the bowling alley, and even square dancing. Bill loved spending time with friends and family including his weekly coffee meetings, camping, or just sitting around playing games. He faithfully attended local Friends churches in the area (Beloit, Damascus, and Alliance) for more than 60 years where he served in various capacities from Awana children’s ministries, funeral committees, church finances, and trustee committees. 

 Bill was preceded in death by his parents William Henry Sr and Ida Mae as well as his sisters Joan (Dave) Rauch, and Bonita Jones.

Surviving family include his wife Elaine, his son William Mark (Amy), daughter Stephanie, grandson Zachary (Miranda) and expected great-grandson due in March 2025, and granddaughter Marissa (Corey) Matthews as well as surviving siblings Suzanne (Kenneth) Flowers, Dennis (Patricia), and Terry (Caroline) along with numerous nieces and nephews. A special thank you to the staff of Auburn Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Salem, Ohio and Ohio Living Hospice for the wonderful care provided during Bill’s final months before he went home to see Jesus. 

 Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

 Memorial service will be held at Alliance Friends Church Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. Visitation from 10:00 AM - 11:00, followed by a service at 11:00. Arrangements are entrusted to Dean’s Funeral Home Sebring, Ohio.