Penwell Turner Funeral Home - Shelby, Ohio

William H. “Bill” Sweeney

William H. “Bill” Sweeney, age 63, of Shelby, died Friday, May 27, 2022 at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital following a brief and unexpected illness.

Bill was born August 2, 1958 in Pittsfield, MA to the late William H. and Betty E. (Johnston) Sweeney and was a 1977 graduate of Shelby High School. He started his career at Shelby Mutual Insurance as a custodian where he remained until their closing. Shortly after, Bill continued to maintain that same building working for North Central State College Kehoe Center where he was still employed. Bill truly loved his job and enjoyed working to ensure things were properly taken care of and that the events held there were successful. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, where he had served on the custodial staff.

Bill loved the outdoors, mowing the lawn, and gardening. He was a storm chaser and enjoyed what he would call “windshield time” which consisted of getting in his truck and going for drives. Bill enjoyed collecting models and pictures of lighthouses and old ships, was very particular with keeping his truck clean, and was always tinkering. Bill loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and had many inflatables and decorations for every occasion.

Bill is survived by his sister: Pamela A. Sweeney of Shelby; godchildren: Roy (Britt) Brown and their daughter, Keelie, and Ami (Jeff) Finster; aunt: Anna Lee Johnston; his faithful canine companion: Macy; and cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his uncles: Robert Johnston and Donald Sweeney.

Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, June 1, 2022 from 4-6 pm at the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 10:30 am. Rev. James MacDonald will officiate and burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to the North Central State College Foundation, https://ncstatecollege.edu/foundation-2021-giving, or the Richland County Humane Society.

Appropriate ways to express sympathy may be done by leaving an online condolence on Bill’s obituary at www.PenwellTurner.com or by leaving a comment on his post on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/PenwellFuneral.

Memories & Condolence

  1. Shirley says:

    He was such a great man. Always happy to see people and he really enjoyed his job.

  2. Jill Humphrey says:

    Pam, I am so very sorry for the loss of your sweet brother.
    I am praying for comfort for you.
    Big hugs

  3. Val Stone says:

    Pam, so very sorry to hear of Bills passing. He was my yoga buddy, as well as a very faithful client.
    I will be keeping you in my prayers.

  4. Mike says:

    For the last decade or so, I have taught out at the Kehoe Center. Billy introduced himself to me on my first night, and he always had a kind word (or ten) for me every time he saw me from that point on.

    Billy was about as kind a person as you could ever hope to meet, and his loss will be felt by many, myself included.

  5. pat keen says:

    Pam
    So sorry to hear of your brothers death. May you have peace and strength.

  6. Deb says:

    Pam, I am sorry to learn of your loss.

  7. R Dana Pennell says:

    I am sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I just saw him in the last few weeks. Bill was great fun during our Boy Scout years. I will miss him.

  8. Linda and Mark Albert says:

    Billy was a classmate and former employee who was a hard working, friendly, kind, and gentle man who could carry on a lively conversation with anyone!
    Billy genuinely cared about his friends and co-workers and he took great pride in a job well done. He will be missed, and always remembered. Sending Our deepest Sympathy to his family.

  9. John Waldruff says:

    Pam ~ so saddened to hear of Billy’s passing. He was always a pleasure to work with on many projects over the years at the old “Mutual.”You have our sincere sympathy, Pam, and prayers for God’s comfort in this sad time and beyond. John & JoAnn Waldruff

  10. Terri (Perman) DeVito says:

    Pam, so very sorry to hear about your brother. My thoughts and prayers with you and family

  11. Sue Schiffer says:

    Pam, sadden to hear of Bill’s passing. He was one of the most dependable people I have ever known! I know you will miss him.
    God bless you.

  12. Margie Hoover says:

    Dear Pam, so very sorry for the loss of your brother Bill. You have my deepest sympathy and prayers. Always enjoyed him at Shelby Mutual and First Lutheran. May God wrap his arms around and give you comfort.

  13. Bonnie says:

    Our sincere condolence for the loss of your brother! He was always so positive and would make our water classes a little brighter! We just had him stop by a few weeks ago during “windshield time”. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

  14. Connie says:

    Bill will be missed so very much at the fitness center. He took pride in everything he did! This was obvious to all of us because Bill’s work ethic carried over even in his daily workouts at the fitness center. Bill was dedicated, loyal and a kind soul. Bill will leave a trail of fond, funny and unforgettable memories. With special thoughts of sympathy for a very special man. Thinking and praying for you at this difficult time, Connie

  15. Carol Brown says:

    Dear Pam,
    I am so sorry for your loss, our loss and the communities loss. Bill was truly a fine person and good Yogi. While you and I have never met, I hope to see you and tell you in person that I have heard great stories about you and about Bill’s child hood and wonderful stories of love and respect for your parents. He was a good person and that will always stay with us. I am saddened by the lose. The good news is that we were always happy to see him and he was happy to see and serve others. I totally agree with Connie about the fond, funny and unforgettable memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

  16. Val says:

    Bill was a truly kind man and so funny in water class. Always enjoyed his stories about work and his travels. We went to Frankenmuth several years ago and he asked if we would bring back some special bread. Enjoyed the look on his face when I showed up at his job with the bread! He was dedicated to his work and shared many stories about his time there. H will be missed at the fitness center.

  17. ANNE MCFARLAND says:

    Pam, I am so sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Praying for comfort for all

  18. Mary Rodriguez says:

    I worked with Billy at NC State. He was so kind & such a hard worker. He always had a hug readily available. So very sorry to hear of his passing.

  19. Gina Kamwithi says:

    Bill was such a blessing to all of us at the college. What a terrible loss for the world. He brought joy and beauty to his work.

  20. Mic Kempf and family says:

    Dear Pam-

    We are saddened to hear of Bill’s passing and your loss. We’ve known you and Bill, as well as your parents since 1972. Always good neighbors, always good friends. You have our most sincere condolences, and our family will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May Bill rest in peace now, and join your mother and father with the Almighty.

    Mic, Jo, Peyton and Paige
    The Kempf family

  21. Pam Cole says:

    Pam, so sorry to hear of the pasing of your brother. Thinking of you at nthis time and sending prayers that God wrap his arms around you and give you comfort.

  22. Alice Grove says:

    Pam, I’m so saddened to learn of Billy’s passing. He was always so helpful in many ways at the old “Mutual”. His kind spirit and good humor will always be remembered. God bless you now and in the days ahead and give you His peace. Sincerely, Alice Grove

  23. Lorna Albert says:

    Pam, I was very sorry to hear about Billy. Todd and I used to see him at the fitness center – he was just exercising away!! He was a hard worker no matter what he was doing!! Prayers for you.

  24. Jody Ensman says:

    Pam, I am so saddened to hear about the passing of Bill. I’m honestly at a loss for words. I’m so so sorry. Bill was so good and kind to our family, especially mom and dad. Here, I thought we were special:) But apparently he was friendly and kind to everyone. That’s Bill for ya! Our Lorwood days, as neighbors and friends, will never be forgotten. Will be thinking and praying for you Pam.

  25. Mandy Beck says:

    Pam,
    We are so sorry about the passing of Bill. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.

    The Staff of Shelby Animal Clinic

  26. Dave Pennell says:

    I was in Boy Scout Troop # 406 in Shelby with Bill for many years in the 70’s…always a fun guy to be around, and he was a devoted scout and friend…My condolences to his family.

  27. Barbara Fugate says:

    My sympathy to you Pam. I have a special place in my heart for all the good times I had talking with Bill He was a good back yard neighbor. Also loved his trucks. So willing to help out. Blessings to you.

  28. Janet Stover says:

    Pam, I’m sorry for your loss. I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as you go through this sad, difficult time.

  29. Donna Ensman says:

    Pam, I am so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I always enjoyed talking with Bill. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
    Hugs,
    Donna

  30. Tina carroll says:

    Pam, I am so sorry for your loss of your brother bill. Wow it was a shock to see this. He was such a great man and will Surely be missed . Sending prayer for you and family

  31. Tammy Vermillion says:

    Dear family so sorry for ur loss rip

  32. Chris Copper says:

    My deepest condolences to Billy’s family. His smile will always be remembered and how he lit up a room. Such a friendly and kind man.

  33. Mike says:

    Really enjoyed working with Bill at NC State. We would joke with each other all the time. He was funny and helped me out if I locked myself out of a room. Bill will be missed.

  34. Judy says:

    Pam-so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing… I don’t think Bill believed in strangers-so friendly! Prayers….

  35. Brian J Baldridge says:

    Pam I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother. Billey was an absolute bright spot in the work day. I miss him already.

  36. June says:

    So saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. He was always such fun at water aerobics at the fitness center. His love for Shelby and his job was evident to all. His yoga set up was just like him- unique!! He will be missed.

  37. Cheryl A. Kempf says:

    Dear Pam,
    I was so very saddened to hear of Billy’s passing. I have known you, Billy and your parents since I was 11. Good heaven’s! I just did that math…that’s 50 years. I remember Billy coming over to shoot hoops in our back driveway. Once he got the ball, he never gave it back! I know you are so proud of all he accomplished and will miss him dearly. Much love and hugs to you.
    Cheryl (Sherry to you and Billy), Tiffany, Sophie, Angelos, Phoebe and Quinn
    The Hanna/Kempf/Kaminis family

  38. Tim Kempf says:

    I was so sorry to learn of Billy’s passing, Pam. We spent many seasons as neighbors on Lorwood Drive. I remember every year we waited till Christmas to both see how BIG your Christmas tree was and see what new inflatable Billy added to the yard display. Your family was so good to my parents – I remember coming home from Cleveland to visit and 9 times out of 10, Billy was in the driveway talking to my Dad. He was a good man and a beautiful soul – may he rest in power. I hope happy memories of Billy bring you some small comfort during this sad time. Much love and hugs to you, my friend.

  39. Vicki Hewitt says:

    Pam, I’m so sorry for your loss of your brother. Prayers n hugs. May Angel wings comfort you n your family.
    Love Vicki

  40. Steve Williams says:

    My deepest sympathy to Billy’s family. He was a one of a kind and I always enjoyed seeing him working with us on one of our projects because when he was there, the project was well in hand. Visits to the Kehoe Center will never be the same.

  41. xTerry Heringhaus says:

    You could always count on Bill to be at the Ohio Health Fitness Center at 5 AM I will miss him as I am sure all of his 5 AM friends will also.

  42. Mary Ellen Distl says:

    Pam I know Bill’s passing comes as a great loss to you. Only a few weeks ago he was telling me about your new house. He was so happy. He will be missed by many. My sincerest condolences.

  43. Sandy Hoffman says:

    My condolences to Bill’s family and many friends. He will be missed dearly at North Central State College. Bill was a sweet man with a big personality, he always liked to joke around, which brought happiness to all who knew him.

  44. Bob & Sue Stover says:

    Pam we are so saddened by the passing of Billy. Always so happy & helpful. I don’t know what we would have done in Altar Guild without all of your help. He certainly made a very positive impact on everyone. We won’t be able to make calling hours but know that we are with you in thought. Bob & Sue

  45. AnthonyI Woodard says:

    Dear Pam, I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother. Bill and I always had a good time working on projects. He was a good friend to all and will be sorely missed. I’m sure that the good Lord has prepared a special place for him.

  46. Chris Barker says:

    I will always count Billy as my friend. He had a huge heart and was devoted to North Central State College, and was zealous in his duties there. He was special in many ways! He will surely be missed by so many.

  47. Susan Metzger says:

    Pam, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother. I still remember all the stories my mom and sister use to tell about him when they worked at Shelby Insurance. You have my deepest condolences.

  48. Ken Steele says:

    I am sad to hear that Bill passed. When I was a senior at Shelby High School, Bill was a freshman. We were a bunch of jocks and one day we invited Bill to sit with us at lunch. He joined us and was very funny, sweet and kind. We had lunch with Bill every day. He felt like a little brother to us. We made sure no one messed with him, we had his back. He gave us more than we gave him. We were Ken Steele, Kim Baird, Andy Smith and Rob Reinsnyder. I have find memories of those days. In our senior year book, there is a picture of us having lunch with Bill. Thank you Bill for joining us and giving us a lifetime of memories. Pam is our classmate. So sorry Pam for your loss. Bill impacted all of us.

  49. Karen Adkins Barnetto says:

    Pam I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Praying for you and in the days ahead. Love you.

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