Wlliam Aylward dies at 91

William Boyle Aylward ("Bill") died suddenly on Jan. 24. He was 91.

He was born in Pittsburgh on Sept. 29, 1921, and moved to Akron when he was seven. He graduated from Buchtel High School. He served four years as a medic in the Army during World War II and was a longtime member of St. Sebastian Catholic Church.

Bill worked for 50 years at the Akron Beacon Journal, retiring as assistant director of circulation in 1991. He was chairman of the board for the Archbishop Hoban High School trustees for many years. An avid baseball fan and player, he is a member of the Akron Baseball Hall of Fame. Bill received numerous awards for his humanitarian efforts. He was very proud of his Irish heritage.

He leaves his loving wife of 61 years, Dorothy ("I'd be nothing without her," he once said); daughters, Aileen Nicolino (John), Maureen Barcic, Carolyn Henretta (Tom); sons, Mark, Timothy and Lawrence (Mindy); brother, Edward; sisters-in-law, Joan Stampfli, and Lucille Westerman; and brother-in-law, Bill Westerman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Catherine; his brothers, John and Joe; brother-in-law, Bill Stampfli and sister-in-law, Faith Aylward. He also leaves his 11 grandchildren, Katie, John and Mary Nicolino, Julie, Kelly and Bill Barcic, Joe and Michael Aylward, Matthew Seikel and Jacob and Spencer Aylward; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill treated everyone with respect, no matter their line of work. He was driven by his values and Christian faith. He taught his children to care for the less fortunate.

Calling hours are Sunday, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St. A Mass of Christian burial will be Monday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave. Interment will follow at the Holy Cross Cemetery. PROCESSION WILL FORM AT CHURCH.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Aylward Family Scholarship Fund at Archbishop Hoban High School, 1 Holy Cross Blvd., Akron 44306 or St. Sebastian Parish Foundation, 476 Mull Ave., Akron, 44320. Please visit www.hummelcares.com to view full obituary or to share memories and condolences.

330-253-6126

[Akron Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Saturday, January 26, 2013, page C1, col. 6]