William "Bill" Michael Shoemaker

December 10, 1947   -   May 29, 2020

William M. "Bill" Shoemaker, 72, of Findlay, died suddenly on Friday, May 29, 2020, at Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay.

Bill was born on December 10, 1947, in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Gerald and Ethel I. (Meyers) Shoemaker. Bill was a graduate of Riley High School in South Bend, Indiana, and earned a B.A. degree from Ft. Wayne Bible College. He also earned a Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity. He was currently Director of Mobilizing Disciples for the Churches of God General Conference in Findlay. He proudly served his country as a member of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

Bill married Candice Gibson on August 10, 1974, in South Bend, Indiana, and she survives along with their children: Kristina B. Shoemaker of Findlay; Nathan J. (Natalie) Shoemaker of Columbus, Ohio; Stephanie L. (Jonathan) Brimley of Findlay; and Mark A. (Emilee) Shoemaker of Findlay. He also has seven grandchildren: Courben, Judah, Gracelyn, Ava, James, Cora, and Lydia. Bill was the youngest of eight siblings. He was preceded in death by siblings Betty, Eileen, and Eva and is survived by siblings Virginia, Jerry, David, and Linda.

Bill was a member of Movement Church and volunteered as Chaplain for the Findlay Police Department. There's so much we could say about Bill - the way he lived, the way he loved, his love for serving others, his fierce heart for protecting others and righting wrongs, and the big gaps he's leaving behind in so many lives. He was an indescribably wonderful, unique and hilarious man. People don't forget him once they've met him. He cooked, he sewed, he fixed things, he gardened, he fished, he laughed, he hugged, he prayed, and he loved Jesus deeply. The running joke in the family is that everyone tells us they saw him in the grocery store. They saw him there because he loved people and he loved to share. We mourn the loss of a larger-than-life man, but we celebrate that he lived as a faithful follower of Jesus and is home in heaven.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with Pastor Eric Ferguson officiating. The burial will take place after the funeral service in Knollcrest Cemetery east of Findlay with Military Rites performed by the Hancock County Veterans Memorial Squad.

Bill loved to feed people, so it felt appropriate to ask that memorial donations be made to two local restaurants that have faithfully been feeding the hungry during the current pandemic: We Serve Coffee 114 E Sandusky St, Findlay, OH 45840, and Heavenly Pizza, 1404 N Main St, Findlay, OH 45840. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coming to the visitation or service might be a challenge. The family understands the necessity and importance of your personal safety. The family encourages you to go the funeral home website www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com and leave a condolence or fond memory.

djb 06.06.2020

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