BRIDGES, William Joseph age 87, of Hamilton, Ohio, on Monday, February 13 at 12:10 PM, passed this life within the comfort of his home. Mr. Bridges' died from complications of COPD and heart disease. William was the eldest son of William J and Bertha L Bridges of Dayton, Ohio.

William was born in Dayton, Ohio on April 27, 1924. He married Joan Dolores Greenaway on February 14, 1948. William was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha Lee Northcutt Bridges, his father, William Bridges, siblings, Virginia Lee Wilken, Ruth G. Shroyer, June M. Snyder, and Mark Jerome (Jerry) Bridges; his father and mother-in-law William A. and Adeline L Greenway.

William was a loving husband and father. He was raised in West Dayton and was known as one of the "Edgemont boys". He had a hard life during the depression years, loosing his father at a very young age, and having to assist in providing for the family while he was just a child. He relied upon his mother, Bertha Lee to care for him and his four other siblings. It was through these hard times that William developed independence, strength of constitution, and maintained a hardworking lifestyle while maintaining compassion for his fellow man, always giving his time and energy to help children. William enjoyed a good story and often asked if there were any "horse-thieves" in the family genealogy. Fortunately there are none to report. He was always handy around the house, taking on many home improvement projects.

William attended Roosevelt High School and was a US Army veteran of WWII, serving from February 6, 1943 until February 3, 1946. He became a journeyman lithographer at Reynolds and Reynolds in Dayton, Ohio, serving that company for over 40 years. William and wife Joan enjoyed wintering in Sarasota, Florida in their retirement years. He was an avid and accomplished golfer having scored 3 holes-in-one in his lifetime. His passion throughout life was baseball. He loved playing it and coaching it. He is well remembered for his contributions to the North Riverdale Little League where a baseball diamond is named after him.

William is survived by his loving wife Joan Dolores Greenaway Bridges of Hamilton, Ohio, his ; brother-in-law and sister-in-law William A. and Wanda L. Greenaway of Trotwood, Ohio; his children, William J. Jr. and Valiera J. Bridges of Littleton, CO, Robert A. and Diane Bridges of South Pasadena, CA and Michael L. Bridges of Hamilton, OH; grandchildren Christopher Bridges of Prescott, Arizona, Nichole Bridges of Denver, Colorado, Molly Baker, Sarah Bridges, Benjamin Bridges, Keith Bridges and Katie Bridges, all of Hamilton, Ohio. William is survived by great-grandchildren Joseph Hubbard, Cameron Bridges, Alec Bridges, Travis, Hannah and Adam Baker; nephews Jon Anthony (Tony) Wilken, Timothy Bridges, Dena Bridges Wenzler, Michael J. Shroyer, Daniel K. Shroyer, Jill Snyder.

Services for immediate family will be in the home. William will be cremated and buried in Arlington Cemetery, Brookville, Ohio. Donations may be made in his name to Hospice of Southwest Ohio. Zettler Funeral Home is serving the family. Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com