William ?Bill? Larston Musselman, 81 years old, of Wooster, Ohio passed away Sunday, December 7, 2008 at home surrounded by his family. Bill was born March 16, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Oakwood High School in Illinois. After graduation Bill served as a Machinist?s Mate R Third Class in the United States Navy Reserve. He received the American Area Ribbon, the World War II Victory Ribbon and the Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon. He served on the USS Preble and the USS Sevier. Bill was honorably discharged July 29, 1946, and later married his high school sweetheart, Mattie Jean Wood August 28, 1949.
In 1951 Bill graduated from Eastern Illinois State College. After Graduation he taught Industrial Education and coached for 2 years at Robinson High School.
While in Robinson he began a long and successful career in the oil and gas business with Birdwell from 1953 until 1960. In 1961, they moved to Wooster where he and his friend, Bill Gaggins, founded, owned and operated Eastern Well Surveys. Their company, EWS, was the longest running independent wire-line company east of the Mississippi. Bill was inducted into the Ohio Oil and Gas Association Hall of Fame in 1998 for his outstanding service, innovations and accomplishments to the field of well logging analysis. He was a Trustee of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association and a founding member of the Ohio Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Bill was actively involved in the Wooster community. He was a member of the Central Christian Church of Wooster serving as a former chairman and Elder Emeritus. He was a member of the Wooster Rotary Club, the Elks and the American Legion. He was president of the Wooster Country Club in 1978 where he was a member for 47 years. Bill was a Board member of the Wayne County Republican Party. He was a volunteer of the Friends of Boys Village of Wooster.
Bill was a humble, hardworking man that had three passions. He proudly possessed a single engine pilot?s license and logged countless hours flying his beloved 2-2 Tango to many job sites. He loved the game of golf, especially at the Wooster Country Club where he had eagled every hole on the course with the exception of three holes. And lastly, Bill cherished the time spent with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mattie Jean, his half brother Bob Musselman and his 4 sons; Rory of West Chester, PA, Ronald and his wife Lori of Kent, OH, Rodney and his wife Alexandra of Wooster, and Richard and his wife, Darby of Hamilton, OH. Bill had 8 grandchildren; Kiefer, Brett, Lukas, Nathanael, Corey, Kayla, Noah and Seth. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ruth, his sister Mary Pettit and his half sister Norma Jean Pringle.
There will be an Elks Honorary Service on Friday, December 12, 2008 from 5:30-6:00 p.m. at McIntire, Davis and Green Funeral Home in Wooster. Calling hours will be held immediately following from 6:00-9:00 p.m. Additional calling on Saturday, December 13th, at Central Christian Church of Wooster, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Rev. Kevin Phipps will officiate. Pallbearers will be his sons; Rory, Ron, Rod and Ric along with his eldest grandsons; Kiefer, Brett, Nathanael and Lukas. Entombment with military honors at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Wooster, Ohio will take place immediately following the service.
All are welcome to return to Central Christian Church for a luncheon to join the family in remembering Bill Musselman. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Central Christian Church or Hospice of Wayne County.
Memorial Contributions
Central Christian Church or Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County
Service
Saturday December 13, 2008 at 10:30 am at Central Christian Church
Visitation
Friday December 12, 2008 from 6-9pm at McIntire, Davis and Greene Funeral Home
Memories of you being my father-in-law remain so sweet and good; and being loving Grandpa to Nathanael and Noah.
Loved you always.
Love the family always.
Grateful for getting to share seasons of life together.