Bill is better known to me as Mr. Summers, and to most of you as the father of our Mayor
Michael P. Summer.
William (Bill) M. Summers during much happier times. Ed FitzGerald had stepped down
and Michael P. Summers was being appointed Mayor. For a man who believed so heavily
in public service, this had to be a great day.
He was loving brother to his sister, Anne S. Knight and was the proud father and step father of Judy Summers Fox (Leslie), Michael P. Summers (Wendy), Rebecca Summers (deceased), Robert Howley (Nancy), David Howley (Danielle), Suzanne Howley Whitacre (Roger), Nancy Howley Krupp (deceased) and her husband Mark. He loved his six grandchildren, nine step grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and four nieces and nephews.
He was the first in his family to obtain a university education, graduating from Miami University, class of 1944.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1942. He was commissioned an Ensign having graduated from the V-12 Program at Northwestern University. He "skippered" LCT-1167 in the Pacific and fought in Manus, Admiralty Islands, Philippine battles of Leyte Gulf and Lingayen Gulf, as well as well as Hollandia, New Guinea. He was honorably discharged as Lieutenant J.G. in May 1944.
He attended the Harvard Law School on the GI Bill.
On October 1, 1949 he and his father, William H. Summers founded the Summers Rubber Co in Cleveland Ohio. He led this company for over 40 years. He set the gold standard for customer service that is still its hallmark. The company was recently sold.
With his wife Joyce they pioneered school transportation for handicapped children by transporting their daughter Becky from Lakewood to Sunbeam school each day. Word spread of other handicapped children unable to attend schools and they soon each drove a van full of grateful children to school.
Services, Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 from 3 pm to 9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion, Ohio 44089. A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 at the United Church of Christ, 990 State St, Vermilion.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Lucy Idol Center, 435 Nicholson Ave, Vermilion, OH 44089
.