William R. "Bill" Floyd, former executive director of the Ohio Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (OTDRA), died on Friday, March 7, 2014. He was 90 years old.
Born in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, he moved to Barberton, Ohio, with his parents in 1936 and became a life-long resident. He graduated from Barberton High School in June 1941, and from The University of Akron in 1949 with his B.S. in Business Administration. He was active in the Barberton Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1951-1956, serving as president in 1955, and was recognized as their "Outstanding Man of the Year."
He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II as a staff sergeant in Europe. He was a devoted and faithful Christian and active member of both the First Baptist and Covenant Baptist churches.
Bill Floyd's long career in the tire industry began with positions at the Seiberling Rubber Co. and Polson Rubber Co. After he retired, he became executive director of the OTDRA and its spinoff, the Northeast Ohio Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William R. and Mary Floyd; brother, James; and his beloved wife, Joan (Stocker). He is survived by his three children, Michael (Denise) of Salesville, Ohio, Gary (Doris) Floyd of Barberton, and Kathi (Jim) Keifer of McAlisterville, Pa.; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends at the Silva-Hosteteler Funeral Home, 1199 Wooster Rd. West, Barberton, on Sunday, March 16th, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., concluding with a memorial service at the funeral home officiated by Pastor Mike Prebynski. Per Floyd's wishes, a private burial will be held at a later date at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Summa Hospice Palliative Care, 1 West, 155 Fifth St. NE, Barberton, Ohio 44203.
