Bill J. Eichelberger

My father, William (Bill) Jay Eichelberger, was born on June 24, 1961 in Rocky Ford, Colorado. He was the first of two sons born to Orrin and Verda Eichelberger. Nearly two years later, the family moved to Verda's hometown of Louisville, OH, where they lived for twenty years. Many of their family activities revolved around the church, where he was given a strong spiritual foundation that would continue to blossom throughout the duration of his life. From a young age, Bill had an unquenchable passion for sports, especially basketball and baseball. He spent most of his time outdoors playing ball with his younger brother, Jerry. He was notorious for creating baseball schedules for their backyard games that often included triple-headers. Jerry would play along for awhile, but lose interest somewhere before the twenty-seven inning marathon games were completed, which would drive young Billy absolutely nuts. He was also known for hiding a radio under his pillow so he could listen to the Cleveland Indians games at night.

He graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While attending EMU, he played on the basketball team, played intra-mural baseball, and formed many meaningful friendships that would last a lifetime. I've had the pleasure of witnessing my Dad interact with his old college buddies on several occasions. I've always thought of him as a gentle giant, calm and stoic, peaceful and reserved, but when reunited with his old friends he would really come to life. The playful banter and all-in-good-fun insults would flow with ease. The conversations were light and jovial. He met the love of his life, Amy, at Trinity Gospel Temple, where just two years later she would become his bride. They were married on October 12, 1985. Drawing upon each other's strength, they made a long and tiresome move to Wichita, Kansas, where they settled down to start a family. In the fall of 1987, they gave birth to me (Ryan), and nearly two and a half years later, my wonderful younger brother, Matt, was born. During this time, my father worked as an accountant at Boeing. Faithfully providing for his family, he spent seventeen years with the company, often coming home tired, but always ready for a game of catch. Dad believed in the importance of family and felt that God was calling him to serve in a new and meaningful way.

In 2005, Bill's father, Orrin, was diagnosed with cancer and placed in Hospice home care. Where most men might be overcome with grief by the loss of their father, Bill was inspired by the great care the whole family received and chose to follow a path of healing, where death is not the end. He graduated with a Master's Degree in Christian Ministries from Friends University in 2006. He spent the last years of his life tirelessly serving his patients as a Hospice Chaplain. His desire was to bring the love of God into the lives of people going through incredibly difficult situations, and use his own personal experience with grief to help families that were also hurting. There was no end to the compassion and empathy that he would carry in to each new room. His commitment to his family and to his patients never wavered. To many he was Chaplain Bill; to Orrin and Verda he was son; to Jerry and Reenie he was brother; to Callie he was uncle; to Amy he was husband; to Matt, my wife Kami, and I he was father; to Shylee and Ember he was Grampy; but to him everyone was family. He will always be remembered for a race well run, and for his efforts to bring God's kingdom here, "...on earth, as it is in Heaven." Though we miss him dearly, we celebrate the life that he has found with God above. Knowing that death is not the end, we will carry on his passion to serve and bring healing to the broken, through God, who is making all things new.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10am, Saturday, July 25, 2015, Central Community Church, 6100 W. Maple. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Good Shepherd Hospice or Central Community Church.