William J. Niesel

William J. Niesel - "Bill, Dad, Papaw", was blessed with a pretty good life. He loved his family (and his dogs!). And his family (and his dogs!) loved him. This love, along with his strong, powerful faith, sustained him, and saw him through life's challenges, and through life's tragedies. Some say that the "measure of a man" is reflected in what he has done with his life, what he has accomplished. Some say that the ultimate measure of a man is how he dealt with - and hopefully overcame - the challenges that so many of us face as we navigate through our time here on Earth. None of us are without flaws and weaknesses. But if to love and to be loved is any "measure of a man", then Bill was truly a blessed man.

Bill was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the later years of the Great Depression. The eldest of the six children of Louis and Dorothy Niesel, Bill attended local Catholic schools near the family home. As a child he spent his free time delivering newspapers, playing baseball, and jumping the occasional boxcar of a slow moving train for a free ride to downtown!

In 1956 Bill graduated from St. Xavier High School, and enrolled at the University of Cincinnati where he studied Business Administration, graduating with a degree in Accounting. During his time at UC, while interning in the business office of Good Samaritan Hospital, he met a "candy striper" named Jan Haban. She was volunteering at the hospital, and she and Bill struck up a friendship, and began dating. They were married in 1960, but their honeymoon had to be canceled when Bill's Draft Notice arrived in the mail. However, at the pre-induction physical, the examining doctor detected a heart murmur, and Bill was designated as ineligible for military service. Remaining in the Cincinnati area, he began his professional life, and he and Jan started
their family.

Even though the late 1960s and early 1970s were challenging and tumultuous years nationally - and at times personally as well - Bill made sure to share joy with his young family. He held great admiration for the NASA astronauts, and made sure his children were witnesses to the history of the Apollo moon missions (the kids might say that Dad also made sure they were witnesses to raking leaves and doing chores around the house!). Bill also enjoyed watching Cincinnati Bengals football, and rooting for fellow Ohioan Jack Nicklaus during his dominating years as a golfer. And since Bill loved to play baseball, he was a lifelong fan of the Cincinnati Reds. The early 1970s was a great time to be a Reds fan, and the family made many trips to old Crosley
Field and later to new Riverfront Stadium. At Riverfront, Bill would take the kids around and down to the ground level of the stadium where they could meet Reds players as they left the locker room.

But life can throw us curveballs, and how one reacts to these situations provides us with the "measure of a man".

Following the sudden death of Jan, and then the loss of his business due to the struggling economy of the mid-1970s, Bill entered a period of his life when he had to dig deep into his character - and even deeper into his faith - to push forward and provide for his family. His unerring belief in God's love gave him strength, and fortunately, he met a woman who lifted him up, and was his life partner for the next 47 years and nine months. He married Dreema Bird, and together they met the challenges of each day. Not without struggle. Not without mistakes. For we, all of us, are not perfect, are flawed in one sense or another. But our love is not flawed. Love is pure. Love is real. Love is forgiving. And Bill's love for his family was just that…LOVE.

He was blessed with the love of his youngest daughter Amy, and her husband Chris, as they helped care for Bill and Dreema over the past 10+ years. He was blessed with the daily presence of Amy and Chris's three children as he was kept busy and active running them to and from school, sporting events and afterschool jobs. And of course he always drew joy from his canine companions, for Bill's House was a Dog's House! So a shout out to Samantha, Arius, Blackie, Pepper, Lady, Ben, Max, Indiana and Fozzy.

Bill's children are thankful for what his words and actions imparted to them: "I viewed how Dad prioritized his faith", and "The greatest gift Dad gave me was religious faith", a faith which was his guiding compass through life. "The church was his world outside of his family.". Then there was Bill's incredible work ethic. Even during the toughest of times he displayed the "Midwest work ethic" when others might have given in. "Dad always worked so hard and for so long as he possibly could to provide for his family, whether at his job or helping out at home". And Bill demonstrated repeatedly what a loving, caring spouse and partner does to make a relationship work. "Dad worked long hours at his jobs, but he always helped out around the house. I grew up
watching a man who did dishes, laundry, ironed clothes, helped out with whatever when needed. He did not expect others to do these things for him if he could help out. That is showing true love and respect." And finally, "One thing Dad taught me: how much family means. To spend time together. Supporting each other. And forgiveness. Dad saw a lot of things…he might not have said anything out loud, but he saw things. He always had enough room in his heart to forgive."

William J. Niesel passed away peacefully at the age of 84 after a brief illness, on December 5th, 2022. He had family at his side.

He was predeceased by his wife Jan Niesel, son Jared Niesel, parents Louis and Dorothy Niesel, sister Dottie Gentile, and brother Robert Niesel.

His memory will be carried forward by his wife Dreema Niesel, children Amy (Chris), Brigid, Amber (Rob), John (Julie) and Beth (Steve), and his grandchildren Olivia, MacKenzie, Chase, Ian and Hylan.

Bills' faith. It's a recurring theme in his life. His love of God. His love of service to the church, and the community it offered. Bill was actively involved with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Powell, Ohio. The support and love provided by the church and its members is cherished and greatly appreciated by Bill's family.

A funeral and celebration of Bill's life will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church on December 29th, 2022, at 11 AM. Visitation will be held at the church from 10-11 AM. 10700 Liberty Road, Powell, Ohio. 614-761-0905.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joan of Arc, or any other non-profit of choice.