William Hampshire

CANAL FULTON - William J. Hampshire, 86 passed away February 16, 2009.
Bill graduated from North Baltimore High School in 1940. He attended Indiana Technical College in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, majoring in Aeronautical Engineering. His love of flying drew him to a civil pilot training program during which time Pearl Harbor occurred. Bill immediately enlisted in the Army Air Corps Pilot Cadet Program. While stationed in Denver, Colorado, during flight school, he sent for and married the love of his life, Irene Shinew. Bill was later transferred to Hondo, Texas where he served out the rest of the war. Upon discharge, Bill finished his Engineering degree at Indiana Tech and graduated in the spring of 1947. Upon graduation, Bill took a job with Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown, Maryland.
While on his way to a new position at the University of Toledo, he and Irene stopped to visit an Air Corps buddy living in Akron, Ohio. The friend persuaded Bill to check out Goodyear Aerospace. Bill accepted a position as a flight test engineer, which later led to a position in Research and Development, where he spent the rest of his career. Bill developed 24 patents for Goodyear, retiring in 1986.
Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved following his son's musical and sports accomplishments as well as those of his beloved grandchildren. Bill was a real "Renaissance Man", spending his free time reading, painting and enjoying trips to the Akron and Canton Symphonies, and The Wooster Light Opera. He also enjoyed fishing and being a member of the Zeplin Gun Club. Lately, he took special delight in holding and watching the antics of his great-granddaughter Josephine.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Irene; sons, James (Cindy) Hampshire and Jon (Leslie) Hampshire; grandchildren, Emily (Jonathan) Holody, Jon (Lindsay) Hampshire and Jarrod Hampshire; great-granddaughter, Josephine Holody; nephew David (Christine) Hampshire and their son Paul; sister-in-law, Joan (Ellsworth) Mason and nephew, Sean (Laura) Mason.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4 pm Sunday in the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, Rev. Stephen Gifford officiating. Friend may call beginning at 2 pm Sunday until the time of Service. Final resting place Northlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to IMPS Cuyahoga Falls High School, 431 Stow St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, or The Woodridge School Foundation, 4411 Quick Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264 in his memory.