William Adair Carlisle passed away in his home from natural causes on Sunday, December 29, 2024. A lifelong resident of Wooster he was born on July 12, 1960 to Dorothy A. and Glenn E. Carlisle.
While a student at Wooster High School, Bill was manager of the football team as well as a volunteer office assistant. He graduated in 1979.
Throughout his lifetime Bill’s love of Wooster led him to serve in numerous volunteer capacities. He was employed in several part time jobs, but it was his volunteerism that gave him the greatest satisfaction, earning him the respect of many in his community. At the Wayne County Red Cross he was a longtime volunteer. He earned certification as a CPR instructor, and taught CPR courses throughout Wayne County.
Bill was an active member of Trinity United Church of Christ, where he was a volunteer for several years, helping to shop and assist with their community breakfast program.
Most recently Bill was a dedicated participant and volunteer at Wayne County’s NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness.) Bill advocated for NAMI in venues including helping out with the booth at the Wayne County Fair, and helping with fundraising activities.
When Bill was born in 1960, he was in the first generation of babies to survive with the birth defect hydrocephalus. This required surgery to implant a newly invented device to shunt fluid away from his brain. He lived bravely and set an admirable example as a pioneer, living in a determined and energetic way with this birth defect. His numerous surgeries and his life, lived-well, helped advance the cause of medical science, enabling subsequent generations of hydrocephalic babies to receive medical care improved by the knowledge gleaned from Bill’s life.
Bill will be missed by many in this community, and most especially by his family — his mother Dorothy Carlisle of Wooster, brother Randall Carlisle of Salt Lake City, UT, sister Candace Anderson of Petersham, MA, niece Emily Adair Anderson (Tyson Neukirch) and nephew Barrett Carlisle Anderson (Emily Joy Anderson), and six great nieces and nephews, all of Petersham, MA. Bill was predeceased by his father Glenn E. Carlisle and his brother-in-law Thomas Anderson.
Private family entombment will be at the Wooster Cemetery.
A Celebration of Life service for Bill will be held on Saturday, April 26 at 2:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall at Trinity United Church of Christ, 150 E. North Street, Wooster.
All are welcome.
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers Bill would be most pleased to have donations sent to NAMI, 2525 Back Orrville Rd. Wooster, Ohio 44691 or Trinity United Church of Christ, 150 E North Street, Wooster, Ohio 44691.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Dear DeeDee, Randall and Candace,
Marnie just sent this to me… your family has been in my thoughts for the past few days- and maybe this is why… I will continue to hold you all in my prayers. I hope the end was peaceful.
With love, Rebecca
Dear DeeDee,Candace,Randall and family- What a dear kind soul Bill was. My heart hurt when I saw he has passed. A friend to everyone and he never forgot you after he met you. His dedication to his mother was priceless. He will be missed for sure but he will hear “well done my good and faithful servant” ❤️ Please know you all will be in my heart and prayers. With love – Debbie
Deedee. We just learned of this sad news. You are in our hearts and prayers. We have known you and Bill for so long. , since he was a child and my family moved into the neighborhood. I feel that I have lost one of my own fam
With love. Toni, Chuck, and Chry
Our thoughts and prayers to the family
May his memory be a blessing. Bill has been in school with me since pre-school all the way through WHS. He also has remained in contact with me on FB always giving me updates on Wooster and what is happening to what was my parent’s store. He was a kind soul.
Bill and I were in the class of 79 together at Wooster High School. He served as an exceptional example to me how to live life without complaining, and how to be kind and humble and patient. During the last ten years I’ve had the pleasure to talk with him occasionally and he was always positive and upbeat and considerate.
My sincere condolences to his mom and to all of Bill’s family.
Sue McIlvaine
I was so sad to learn that Bill has passed on. He was always so very kind. Whenever I saw him, he would remember me by my name. Full of pleasantries! (Like: Donna you are as beautiful as always). I’m sure he said these words to all he came in contact with. But these things always warmed my heart! To me Bill is a pillar in our community!
Prayers for your family! R.I.P. Bill!
What a great example of a good person was Bill. He will be sorely missed at NAMI as he came everyday and helped with anything he could. He was definitely part of the MOCA House family. Condolences to his family.
My condolences to your family💔 Bill was always such a great peer supporter and welcoming face to NAMI daily. He is greatly missed there already! Praying for peace and comfort to each of your hearts❤️
My heart broke when I saw that Bill had passed. He was the kindest sweetest person I had ever met. Always had a smile on his face. After I moved from Wooster and he would see my mother he’d still ask about me, years later., he never forgot anyone. He loved his mother so much. What a lucky lady she was to have such a wonderful son in her life. He will never be forgotten. He will be missed by everyone. You were loved by everyone Billy. Rest with the angels.
Prayers to the family,
Cindy Kobilarcsik
Very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He made the WHS class of 79 proud and his volunteerism is remarkable. Many condolences to the family.
My condolences to the family. Bill was a very sweet, kind person. He always had a huge smile and was very helpful to all.
My sympathies to the family. It didn’t matter how much time passed, he always remembered my name. I always enjoyed catching up with him. He will be missed.
Bill was amazing person and I remember how he helped me with cleaning in the spare time at moca whenever I came and he always knew my name and I knew his. He wouldn’t rest at moca until everything was done. God speed my friend.
Deedee and family,
My deepest condolences to you all. I was so very fortunate to have him as a friend all the way from third grade at Layton Elementary school until now. He and I spoke on Christmas Day, which warms my heart during this sad time. His kindness and his never-ending love of Wooster will surely be missed. My prayers are with you all.
Dee Dee I am sorry about your son’s passing!! Many hugs and prayers for you !
This is Donna ( YaYa group ) with Marilyn
Again so very sorry !!
My heart is broken. Words can not express the loss we feel at NAMI/ MOCA House. Bill was a big part of our NAMI family for 10 years. He served with his heart. He was such a positive, fun, kind and supportive person to everyone. Thank you Bill for showing us what recovery is. 💙
I’ was so sorry to read of Bill’s passing. I met him in high school and he was always so very nice. Years later working at Trinity I got to know him again and he had such a positive attitude, even when he had medical issues. Nothing kept him down for long. Bill will be missed by everyone he came into contact with; he has an impact on every person he met.
Bill was one of the most caring and giving person’s I know. Truly a servant’s heart. He will be greatly missed by many. Thank you Bill for leading by example. Soar high. 💙💚
Dear Dee Dee,I am so sorry to hear about your son’s passing…will miss seeing him when he comes in to see you.it will leave hole .. hopefully I will see you soon … praying for you and your family… A Danbury girl Betty
Deedee, Randall and Candace, we are all so deeply sorry to hear of Bill’s death . He has been such an amazing trooper his whole life and such a wonderful gift to all those to whom he has volunteered his time. Please accept our condolences and our love to each of you.
Very sorry to hear this. Bill was a kind, gentle person and loved by his teachers and fellow students. Condolences to the family.
I graduated with Bill. The sweetest guy and I would see him around town over the years in his volunteer capacity and we would get caught up. Prayers to the family.
My sincere condolences to the Carlisle Family. Bill was a classmate at WHS. I always enjoyed speaking with Bill and learning about his recent volunteer activities. He will be missed by many in the Wooster Community.
Love to Candace and her family..
Bill,
You were such a kind and caring soul. We looked forward to the days in which you would stop by with a NAMI calendar and update us on your life. Every interaction with you gave us a laugh, a smile, and a feeling of joy and comfort in our heart. It was always a pleasure and bright spot to our day to have you stop by and catch up with us.
We, and the entire mental health community, will miss you.
Hope you’re enjoying a coffee and slice of cheesecake up there, dear friend.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. He was a good person.
Dee Dee,
We are so very sorry to hear if bill’s passing. May he RIP. We will keep you in our prayers.
Mark & Candy Watts
The Shack
Always kind. RIP Bill
Dear Dee Dee and family, I’m so very sorry we have lost Bill! He was so always so upbeat! I remember when you were able to come to church and sat right behind us at Trinity. I miss you and now especially Bill, knowing he is gone! Take care of yourself!
Big, gentle hugs to you,
Dee and Louie Carter
I am sad to see Wooster has lost such an extraordinary community member, but it warms my heart to see how Bill continued his legacy throughout his life. I worked with Bill just a short time at Young’s IGA many many years ago, but his character left an imprint on my life. Thank you Bill and his family. You are all in my prayers.
Growing up with Bill as his next door neighbor taught me many valuable life lessons that I treasure. His inner strength and desire to see the best and be the best no matter the circumstances was the greatest!
Bill chose to serve others and make a difference! He did this in so many ways!
Love and prayers to the entire Carlisle family.
Bill was a kind and thoughtful man his entire life. Having known him since pre-school, Bill was always positive and supportive to everyone he met. His warmth and sincerity came through every time our paths crossed. The commitment Bill made to helping others through his volunteer work is extraordinarily inspiring. Everyone in the WHS Class of ’79 is honored to have had Bill as a classmate. His positive impact on the community and his uplifting spirit is something we should all aspire to match.
Rest easy friend, you will be sorely missed.
So sad to hear of Bill’s passing. He was truly an inspiration to both the football and basketball teams that he managed. Always upbeat and positive. He will be sorely missed in the Wooster Community.
Would like you to know how much I admired your raising Bill to
be such a caring volunteer involved in so many aspects of the community.
My heart goes out to you and your family. Keep these memories of Bill alive.
On behalf of Bill’s family and friends at NAMI’s MOCA House, we are with you as you mourn. He was very special to us and well-loved.
Dear Dee Dee, Randall, and Candace,
I am so very sorry to hear of Bill’s death. I saw him and DeeDee several times in the last few years and have many memories of him and your family. May God hold you all in his hands during this most difficult time.
I will watch for information about a service later. You are all in my prayers.
Dearest Dee Dee and family,
Love to you all. Growing up, Bill was always such a happy guy and when I got the chance to visit with him again as an adult at MOCA, he was still that great guy. Someone you always wanted to be around. Hugs and prayers for you all. He is missed.
My deepest sympathy to Billy’s family! I always enjoyed seeing him around town serving others with a focused passion! I met him when he was just a toddler on Robinhood Dr. – my grandparents were neighbors and Candy a friend and classmate!
I’ll miss him and our chats. Love and Prayers to you, at this sad time.
Nancy (Shoup) Tanner
Dear Dee Dee and family,
Since with my earliest childhood memories in Sunday School and church, I always enjoyed seeing the Carlisle family and talking with Billy at Trinity and elsewhere in the community. A year ahead of my class, Billy was a lifelong gifted teacher from an early age…primarily by his actions and his quiet, caring, humble approach to life. We have you in our thoughts and prayers as we, together with you in spirit, celebrate his beautiful life.
With love,
John, Rebecca, Brianna & John Paul Schmidt
This is Bonnie, daughter of Donna Smetzer, who lives across the hall from Didi at Danbury. It has been such a treat to get to know Didi when visiting my Mom. I have been impressed with her energetic positive attitude and the kind way she has treated my mother since she lost my Dad in May after a 73
year marriage. I also got to meet Bill and spent some time talking with him as well. My twin sister Connie, my husband Glenn, my Mom, and I wanted to send our sincere condolences to Didi and her family for this great loss to your family. We were so impressed with Bill’s volunteer history and all he accomplished in his life. We pray that God will comfort you as only He can do.
PSALMS 34:18 says “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Many prayers,
Bonnie and Connie
Dee Dee, Randy and Candace – You have my deepest sympathy. I always admired Bill’s positive attitude and his wonderful work ethic and independence. My mother, Irene Winner, so enjoyed working the Trinity breakfast program with him and she lit up when she would see him at Danbury. We will be keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.
I first got to know Bill when he worked at Ida Sue Day Camp in the mid 80’s with me. He always had a smile on his face and was such a devoted worker. As noted previously, he never forgot a name and always greeted me around Wooster when I saw him. My condolences to the family.
Sorry to hear of Bill passing. Prayers for Bill and his family. He was a kind and remarkable person and I
was glad I knew him.