Dr. William “Bill” Arriton Verbsky, 89, of West Liberty, passed away Wednesday evening, December 6, 2023, at Green Hills Care Center in West Liberty, Ohio, from an acute respiratory illness. He was born in Painesville, Ohio on July 8, 1934, a son of the late Arriton Lester “Art” Verbsky and Cecelia Mae (Wilson) Verbsky.
On December 22, 1956, Bill married Judith Kay (Hilliard) Verbsky in Mentor, Ohio and she survives, along with their four children, Chuck (Sharyl) Verbsky, Mark (Dr. Babette) Verbsky, Dr. Matt (Ellen) Verbsky, and Beth Anne (Charlie) Broschart; 12 grandchildren, Fr. David Verbsky, Kathryn (Timothy Jr.) Fulgham, Jessica (Zach) Carpenter, Cheyenne (Adam Allar) Craft, Max Verbsky, Nina Verbsky, Adam Verbsky, Marshall Verbsky, Casey Verbsky, Thomas Broschart, William Broschart, and Ann Broschart; two great grandchildren, Julia Brusky, and Nathan Brusky; a sister, Linda Mae Durieux, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his stepmother, Annabelle “Ann” (Kiplinger) Verbsky.
Bill initially attended Hiram College before transferring to The Ohio State University where he eventually entered the College of Veterinary Medicine. He graduated from OSU in June 1959 and initially established his veterinary medical practice in De Graff, Ohio.
In 1960, Bill and his wife built and established Southgate Veterinary Clinic in Bellefontaine. Bill grew and nurtured this practice until July 1997 when he semi-retired and passed the business to his son Dr Matt Verbsky. Bill continued to assist his son in growing and supporting the practice until 2017 when he fully retired.
Bill was also very interested in promoting public health and as such assumed the role of Logan County Deputy Health commissioner in April 1970. Shortly thereafter, Ohio laws were modified to permit licensed veterinarians to serve as full health commissioners. He ascended to the role of County Health Commissioner and became the first veterinarian in Ohio to do so. Bill continued in his role as county health commissioner supporting and promoting various health levies as well as overseeing the relocation of the health department from three locations about town through its establishment in its current facility on Main St. He retired from his health commissioner role in April 2000 after 30 years of service to the community.
Bill was also very active with both the American and Ohio Veterinary Medical Associations. He held multiple leadership positions within the OVMA, the final one serving as general secretary. The OVMA honored Bill by bestowing Distinguished Service awards twice in recognition for his service to the organization and contributions to veterinary medicine.
Throughout his years of practice, Bill maintained a very close relationship with the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine. While still the county health commissioner, he served as an adjunct professor instructing fourth year vet students on topics related to public health. For many years, he has also been a member of the Veterinary College selection committee, reviewing the resumes of applicants seeking admission to the college. Both the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine and its Alumni association have recognized Bill’s contributions to veterinary medicine with multiple Distinguished Alumnae awards.
Faith was foremost in Bill’s life. He was a longtime member of the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church having joined the church shortly after establishing his veterinary practice. He was a past trustee, a member of the choir for 62 years and served on various church committees including his current assignment on the Administrative Council. He relished volunteering at church functions and frequently assisted with the monthly community dinner. So devoted was Bill to his faith and love for music that just prior to his death, he was diligently working with his sister Linda to perfect his vocal part in the upcoming Christmas cantata.
Second only to his faith was Bill’s love of and for his family. Truly, there was nothing that brought him greater joy than to have his family gathered about him. In true patriarchal fashion, Bill always wanted ALL his family in attendance at gatherings. The larger the family gathering, the happier and more content he was. If a particular family member was absent, he would briefly note and lament their absence, then move on, and fully enjoy those in attendance. There were never any family members who were shunned, or unwelcome, unconditional love and acceptance were foremost throughout Bill’s life.
Other hobbies Bill enjoyed were music (especially pipe organ), woodworking, antique vehicles (tractors, trucks) and being a gentleman farmer. He also enjoyed OSU football, attending games from the year of his graduation until just recently. The hobby that consumed much of Bill’s time was tending his 80-tree dwarf apple orchard. Countless hours of pruning, weed/pest/disease control, fence mending, apple picking and sorting filled many of his days. He took great pride in nurturing his trees and the fruit they produced.
Bill’s passing from this world to the next has left a void that cannot be filled. His zeal for life, love of God and family, and his continued contributions to the betterment of mankind and community will be greatly missed. May he rest in the love and peace of God’s embrace for eternity.
Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, December 15, at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 321 N. Main Street in Bellefontaine. Bill’s grandson, Fr. David Michael Verbsky, and Pastor Joe Ziraldo will officiate a funeral service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, at the Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main Street in Bellefontaine. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio.
Memorial contributions may be made, in Bill’s memory, to Bellefontaine First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main Street, Bellefontaine, Ohio 43311.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Verbsky family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
