William Michael 'Bill' Summers

William M. Summers (Bill) passed away peacefully on October 14th, 2014 at age 91. Bill was a devoted husband to two great women, both deceased, Joyce Heath for 40 years and Rita McGee Howley for 20 years. He was a loving brother to his sister Anne S. Knight, the proud father and step father of Judy Summers Fox (Leslie), Michael P. Summers (Wendy), Rebecca Summers (deceased), Robert Howley (Nancy), David Howley (Danielle), Suzanne Howley Whitacre (Roger), Nancy Howley Krupp (deceased) and her husband Mark. He loved his six grandchildren, nine step grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and four nieces and nephews. He lived in Wilkinsburg, Pa, Toledo, Ottawa, Bay Village, Lakewood, and Vermilion, Ohio and called Ottawa, Ohio - Putnam County - his boyhood home. He was the first in his family to obtain a university education, graduating from Miami University, class of 1944. (mention Betas?) He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1943 and was commissioned an Ensign after graduation from the V-12 Program at Northwestern University. He "skippered" LCT-1167 in the Pacific and fought in Manus, Admiralty Islands, Philippines in the battles of Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf, as well as well as in Hollandia, New Guinea. He was honorably discharged as Lieutenant J.G. in May 1946 and then attended Harvard Law School on the GI Bill. On October 1st, 1949, he and his father William H. Summers founded the Summers Rubber Co. in Cleveland Ohio. He led this company for over 40 years and set the gold standard for customer service that is still its hallmark. The Company just celebrated its 65th anniversary. He and his wife Joyce pioneered school transportation for handicapped children by transporting their daughter Becky from Lakewood to Sunbeam School each day. Word spread, and they soon each drove a van full of other handicapped children to school as well. He loved boats, boating and especially old wooden boats and was an avid and competitive sailor of Lightening class sailboats. He also was an avid outdoorsman and was scoutmaster of Boy Scouts Explorer Post 115. He headed Booster Clubs for all of his children's schools, was active in the management of Lakewood Presbyterian Church, and was an enthusiastic member of the Vermilion Port Authority for more than 20 years. Among other interests, he routinely wrote to his political leaders to express his concerns and suggest solutions. He was also a life-long distance runner who competed in high school and college. He stood firm in his beliefs, was motivated to civically serve his country and his community and could be relied upon to "deliver the goods" when he committed to do so. He treated everyone with respect, dignity, and deep personal interest and was a great role model to many. Friends may call Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 from 3 pm to 9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089. A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 at the United Church of Christ, 990 State St, Vermilion, The Reverends Bob Richardson and Louis Bertoni will co-officiate. Inurnment will take place at Brownhelm Cemetery, Vermilion on October 25, 2014 at 3 pm where the Vermilion Veterans Council will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions are suggested to Lucy Idol Center, 435 Nicholson Ave, Vermilion, OH 44089 Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.