Elmer William “Bill” Oppenheimer, 82, died at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., surrounded by his family on November 22, 2017, due to complications from a fall he sustained on September 25, 2017.

Bill was born on November 14, 1935 in Portsmouth, Ohio to the late Adurm Elmer Oppenheimer and Thelma Irene (Payne) Oppenheimer.  Bill graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1953, and then went on to Ohio University, where he played baseball and basketball, while earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1957.  He began his teaching career that same year, and then went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Education from West Virginia University in 1962 and a Secondary Administrative license in 1970 from Kent State University.  He then spent the next 25 years as a secondary school administrator at Lakeview High School in  Cortland, Ohio, retiring in 1995 after 38 years in public education.  During his years in public education, he was a coach for numerous high school sports, as well as teaching driver’s education to thousands of students learning to drive.

Never one to sit idly by, he went on to drive school bus for the Howland School District for the past 22 years, to include the morning of his accident.  Bill had the utmost love for teaching and a strong passion for the education of children and youth.  He did not know a stranger and loved talking to others, no matter where he went.

He married the former Gloria Ann Leach on January 20, 1962 in Philippi, W. Va.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Adurm Elmer and Thelma Irene Oppenheimer; two sisters, Marjorie Nestor and Beulah Carroll; and four nieces and nephews.  Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gloria; daughter Laura (Sean) McGuire of San Antonio, Tex.; son Michael (Jennifer) Oppenheimer of Beavercreek, Ohio; Jennifer (Rick) Rosti of Salem, Va.; and six gramdsons.

Bill was a great family man, a loving husband to Gloria, and a caring father and grandfather to his children and grandchildren.  He will be truly missed by so many who knew and loved him.

Calling hours are 4:30 to 6:30 pm Monday, November 27, 2017 at Staton-Borowski Funeral Home.  Burial will be 2:00 pm Tuesday at Scioto Burial Park in McDermott, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Family House, 5002 Baum Blvd., Sutie 545, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15213-1855.

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