William Eugene Grau

William Grau age 74, of Defiance, passed away Tuesday evening, June 23, 2020 at the Defiance Inpatient Hospice Center surrounded by his loving family.

His Legacy… He was born August 8, 1945 in Napoleon to the late Lavon and Helen (Perry) Grau.   Bill was a 1965 graduate from Holgate High School.  After high school, he joined the Navy and became a corpsman, assigned to the Marines at Great Lakes, IL.    He worked at GM for 40 years until his retirement in 2006.  Bill liked to keep busy, he was a volunteer fireman for Noble Co.   He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 3360, AMVETS Post 1991 & American Legion #340.  He was a Golden Eagle at Eagles Aerie #372, Elk’s #0147, Moose #2094.  He enjoyed bowling, hunting, golf and Jack Daniels.

His Family… He is survived by his loving wife Kathy (Karjala) and his 5 daughters: Michelle (Willard) Thacker, Defiance, Susan (Jill) Bray, Hollyspring, NC, Theresa (John) Landwehr, Holgate, Kelly (Mark) Thelen, Portage, MI and Autumn (James) Kirk, Defiance.  William also had 10 grandchildren: Nicholas (Jessica) Thacker, Terri (Travis) Badenhop, Ashley Thacker, Natashia Landwehr, Andrew, Sophie, Emma & Kiera Thelen, Freya & Saoirse Kirk.  He also had 8 great grandchildren: Alivia Thacker, Aiden Thacker, Aleah Thacker, Riley Gilbert, Ryan Gilbert, Joshua Lusk, Chevi Badenhop and Cameron Badenhop.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a son William Eugene, Jr. and a great grandson Austin James.

His Farewell Services… Friends and family will be received in the Zachrich Family Funeral Home, 114 William Street, Holgate on Monday, June 29, 2020 from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.  Due to health concerns; a mask is required, social distancing is encouraged and the number of visitors will be regulated at any given time for admittance into the funeral home.  Bill’s funeral services will be private.  Contributions in Bill’s memory can be made to the Defiance In patient Hospice Center.