William B. Shimp

Shimp William B. Shimp, age 84, died May 19, 2017 at Kobacker House with his wife and partner of 42 years, Helen, by his side after a strong and brief battle against brain cancer. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, lived in Athens and Greenfield, Ohio and moved to Upper Arlington, Ohio in 1941 and remained a lifelong resident, graduated from The Ohio State University with Bachelor of Science in Political Science in 1954, President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, graduated from The Ohio State University College of Law in 1959, graduated from OSU ROTC program in 1954, was in Active Duty US Army from 1954-1957; tank platoon leader in the 14th Armored Calvary Regiment in Germany, served 30 years in the Ohio National Guard as its Judge Advocate General from 1977-1985; retired as full Colonel in 1985 while serving as the State Judge Advocate General, graduate of the Army War College in 1981. He served 33 years in the Franklin County Prosecutor Office, First Asst. County Prosecutor in charge of the Civil Division at Retirement. Prior he served as the assistant Columbus City Prosecutor, Columbus City Prosecutor, handled civil litigation for the Columbus City Schools and the city's urban renewal department, served as the Franklin County Clerk of Courts in 1998, member of the Columbus Bar Association Ethics Committee, admitted to practice in Ohio, United States District Court Southern District, US Court of Appeals 6th Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court, served on Board of Directors of the National District Attorney's Association for 20 years, Editor of Banks Baldwin Law, publishing Ohio Township Law Volumes, earning him the title of ""Mr. Ohio Township Law"", served as a member of Mt. Aloysius, an Intermediate Care Facility for the mentally disabled, Board of Directors for 30 years and as its Board Chairman for 20 years, Honorary Chairman of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, member of Vaudvillities while in high school and later as an adult for 25 years, member of the Franklin County Republican Party and served as Ward Committeman, Ward 1, UA. Member of North Broadway United Methodist Church. While he lost the battle against cancer he won the war of life by leaving a legacy for all to follow. He will be remembered professionally for his calm influence among parties with disagreements; his knowledge of Ohio township law; always rising above politics to ethically apply the law; and his mentorship of fellow prosecutors. His family will remember him as the quiet leader who guided six sons, 18 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren through life. We will treasure the Sunday afternoon drives to nowhere and always questioning if we were lost, but always knowing he knew exactly where we were. The most endearing memory will be his chair at the head of the dining room table where the family sat for every meal. He would distribute food onto everyone's plate; passing the plate to the designated recipient; and then announcing to start eating ""before the food gets cold"". He would initiate conversation inviting all to participate allowing a difference of opinion but always in a polite and respectful manner; and finally, after every meal extending the Shimp family tradition of thanking the chef, Helen, with an around the table pat on the back. Bill never knew there was a straight road to a destination. He took more scenic routes in his driving travels than Lewis and Clark. He disdained the airplane because he couldn't demand it to stop so he could check something out along the way and discover a new experience. He was famous for leaving for lunch with a roadmap and ending up in some forsaken little town which was barely a speck on the map and reveling in his newly discovered place on earth. These little trips became known as ""Shimparamas"". Speaking of maps, he died in possession with more maps than the National Geographic museum; he would have passed a law prohibiting MapQuest and GPS's if possible. He enjoyed walking the hills of the family property in the Hocking Hills where he would quiz all available as to the type of every tree. It brought him great joy to see the family enjoy this little piece of heaven on earth. He was immensely proud of his service in the military and his graduation from the US Army War College. He loved his 30 years of service with the Ohio National Guard; although maybe not always the weekend drills. Our summer vacations were structured around wherever his two weeks of active duty took us that year. We became an expert on touring Monticello due to our many summers in Charlottesville, Virginia and we knew the back roads of Port Clinton, Ohio even before it a became popular tourist destination thanks to the many summers at Camp Perry along the shores of Lake Erie. We will miss the sound of his piano filing our house and neighborhood as he played a mean Rachmaninoff. His piano was his second love right behind Helen and the family. Music brought him much happiness and one of his last requests was the family ""never let the music stop"". In the end, whether he was your husband, brother, father, grandfather or friend; he was the one who could always fix your problems; provide you with the confidence needed to succeed; the calmness to overcome your troubles and the wisdom to know when to provide his knowledge or when to let you learn through your own efforts. We know he is in Heaven already getting the piano tuned; gathering Martin and Carolyn, and all his friends who will listen to his beautiful music as he continues to share his talent. However, for more than any of the above reasons, we will miss him in his chair at the end of the dining room family table, but we know he is now just sitting at the head of a different table where he so richly belongs. Bill enjoyed walking the family property in the Hocking Hills; playing the piano; and listening to classical music; sailing his Lido sailboat, where he guided the tiller of his boat as he also guided us in life…with a steady hand. An avid reader and collector of anything in print, passionate OSU Buckeye and Cincinnati Reds fan and lifetime member of the OSU Alumni club, a lover of fine wine and choice scotch. Bill is preceded in death by his son Martin K. Shimp and daughter-in-law Carolyn Shimp (Gyuro), parents William B. Shimp Sr. and Frances Shimp (Kalbfus). He is survived by his loving wife, Helen C. Shimp of 42 years; six sons, William C., Daniel W., Andrew G. (Kim), Fred (Erika), J. Kerry Osborne; brother, Charles P. (Peggy) of Salt Lake City; 18 Grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Family will receive friends on Friday, June 16 from 4-7 p.m. at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd. Columbus, OH. A memorial service to honor Bill's life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 at NORTH BROADWAY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 48 E. North Broadway St., Columbus, OH 43214. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to North Broadway United Methodist Church and Vaudvillities Productions P. O. Box 696 Columbus 43316. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share any special memories of Bill.