Thomas W. "Bill" Alexander

Thomas W. (Bill) Alexander, age 94, passed away September 13, 2018 at his home in Bedford, VA. Bill was born in Pittsburgh, PA but spent most of his life in his hometown Canton, OH. He is predeceased by his parents Thomas and Jennie Alexander, and brothers Albert Alexander of Canton and Richard Alexander of Houston. He is also predeceased by his lifelong best friends Tony Rossi, Mike Saracina and Kenny Harp of Canton. He proudly served his country in World War II from 1942 to 1946 as a Motor Machinist’s Mate 1st Class in the US Navy. During this time, he made six invasions aboard the USS LST 246 in the Pacific Theater. Bill was a 1942 graduate of Timken High School. After the war he worked as a mechanical design engineer for E.W. Bliss Co. and was awarded several design patents for machinery projects in Canton and launch pad components at Cape Kennedy. He was an avid sports fan who loved watching the Browns, Indians, Buckeyes and McKinley Bulldogs. He was very athletic and played baseball and fast pitch softball in his younger years. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing, bowling, gardening, reading, music and ballroom dancing. He had a keen sense of humor, a brilliant mind, an affinity for Italian food and a tender heart for animals. He was a fun-loving, devoted father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle. He is survived by two sons; Larry (Janet) Alexander of Clearwater FL, Bill (Diane) Alexander of Bedford VA, daughter Dianne (Ken) Agee of Bedford, VA, sister Betty Antenuci, granddaughters Jennifer (Jeff) Drlik, Julie Russ, great grandchildren Noah and Allie Drlik, Sam and Max Russ all of Canton, and many nieces and nephews. He loved and adored spending time with his family, especially his great grandchildren, who loved hearing his stories and “made up” songs. A memorial service will be held at Rossi Family Funeral Home in Canton, Saturday, Sept. 22 at 9:30 AM.

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25,26

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