William G. "Bill" Dietry

William G. “Bill” Dietry, age 86, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025, after a long and difficult struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bill was born on April 5, 1939, in Barberton, Ohio. His grandparents owned a local bakery, which was where he was employed following his graduation from Barberton High School in 1957. In 1961, Bill joined the United States Air Force, where he served as an administrative specialist at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, IL and at Incirlik Air Base near Adana, Turkey. During his years of service, Bill received numerous letters of commendation from his commanders, praising his diligence, attention to detail, efficiency, and “military courtesy toward his superiors and subordinates.” On one of his evaluations, Bill’s staff sergeant wrote: “Airman Dietry is without a doubt the finest airman that I have had under my supervision in the past ten years.” Although he clearly thrived in the military environment, Bill chose to return to civilian life in 1965, and was honorably discharged.

In 1965, Bill began a long and successful career at IBM, where he worked until 1993. Capitalizing on the organizational and operational skills he acquired and honed in the Air Force, he began work in the data processing department of a local IBM office. In 1968 he was promoted to a position as an administrative operations manager, overseeing administrative duties at a branch office in Charleston, West Virginia. In 1976, he returned to Ohio and spent the next seventeen years working at IBM in their Akron and Cleveland offices. In his final position, before taking early retirement, Bill was responsible for supporting data and technical centers and over 2,600 retail locations. For the last ten years of his career, Bill was employed at CDW in Brecksville, OH, continuing to work in a senior administrative role.

Bill was a quiet man who enjoyed simple pleasures. He loved to fish, and for many years he went on an annual fishing trip to Campbellford, Ontario with friends or his sons. He was a creature of habit, as methodical and organized in his personal life as he was at work. His family enjoyed teasing him by threatening to rearrange his canned goods, which would have driven Bill nuts. We also used to joke that he was the only person on the planet who actually read through the licensing agreements when installing software. He enjoyed watching or listening to Cleveland baseball games, and even as his Alzheimer’s disease progressed, putting a baseball game on his TV was a great way to help him relax. Bill had a tremendous sweet tooth and a particular weakness for Jelly Belly jellybeans, pop tarts and Oreo cookies. Although he was never really overweight, he loved to eat, and when offered an extra helping of some dish, he would always take “just half a piece,” and then go on to finish the second half as well. He had a quick sense of humor, and loved to banter with his family and friends. You always knew you were in for some good-natured ribbing when Bill was around.

In late 2018, it became apparent that Bill could no longer live independently, and he moved to Waunakee, WI, to be near his son Mike. He lived at Waunakee Manor (now Waunakee Valley Senior Living) until his death. Bill missed Ohio greatly and although he eventually settled into his new surroundings, he always said that Ohio was home. To honor his wishes, no services will be held in Wisconsin. His family will hold a celebration of life later this year in Ohio.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Geraldine and Paul, and his sister Mildred “Millie” Nangle. He is survived by his brother Ivan (Jeanne) Dietry of Barberton, OH; sons Mike (Kate) Dietry of Waunakee, WI, and David (Edith) Dietry of Grapevine, TX; grandchildren Brooke Bostian; Brandt, Parker and Evan Dietry; Mari (Brian) Halstead, and great-granddaughters Brielle and Aliciana Halstead.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Waunakee Valley Senior Living for the patience, care and concern they offered Bill over the years he was there. Bill frequently commented that the people around him were so friendly. Despite the obvious social limitations that Bill’s illness caused, there was always someone stopping in to check on him and make sure he was getting to his meals. We are grateful that he was surrounded by so many kind hearts.

In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, will make me dwell in safety. ~Psalm 4:8

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Winn-Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

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