William R. Dean

William “Bill” Dean, 85, formally of Wheeling, W.V, passed away on June 3, 2018 at his current home, The New England Club, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Born in Wheeling, WV on September 8, 1932, and raised in Sand Hill, WV, he was the ninth of ten children of the late William Ralph Dean and Gertrude Wyoming White Dean. Graduating from Triadelphia High School in 1950, his first job was with Shower’s Hardware & Farm Equipment. In subsequent years he worked for Ohio Valley Dairy as a driver & salesperson, Robert’s Lumber Company and New York Life Insurance. In 1959, he began selling real estate part time with Jack Waterhouse Realty and in 1966 he accepted a full time sales position with George W. Petropolis Realty at Security National Bank. In 1972, he opened his own real estate sales and appraisal business, William Dean Realty, Inc. The business operated until 2000, with a team of 8-12 full time sales agents, and Bill continued working part time until retirement in 2007. He served in leadership positions on the Wheeling Board of Realtors for nearly 50 years and actively participated in the West Virginia State Board of Realtors, including serving a term as its president. At age 18, Bill joined the US Naval Reserves and served as chief petty officer first class until his honorable discharge in 1963. Active for over 50 years as a Master Mason in Ohio Lodge No. 1, he earned membership in the Scottish Rite at the level of a 32nd degree. Bill was well-recognized for his community leadership. Highly involved as a youth in Marshall County 4-H, he became a 4-H All–Star and provided years of service to Ohio County 4-H. An active member of Christ United Methodist Church for over 50 years, he and his wife Cathy first volunteered as leaders for the church’s youth group. Many forms of church administrative leadership followed. Recognized for service and leadership with both the Kiwanis Club International and Gideons International, Bill served on the board of directors for the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and received the chamber’s Outstanding Ambassador of the Year award. He was president of the Greater Wheeling Council of Churches, a Wheeling fire commissioner, and a board member of the Wheeling Figure Skating Club. He volunteered with Teen Challenge, working with youth struggling with addiction, and served on the Home Consortium Council, assisting low-income families with home repairs. He played a key role in the urban renewal program which ultimately provided indoor plumbing to all residents of Wheeling. In 2007, Bill and Cathy moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where they became active in Anderson Hills Methodist Church. Bill continued his civic engagement in a number of projects, most passionately with Inter Parish Ministry, an ecumenical cooperative providing food, clothing and household items to families in need in the greater Cincinnati area. He gained recognition as outstanding volunteer. He actively supported service projects initiated by honors students of West Chester University. Most recently Bill served as an “Ambassador” for the New England Club Independent Retirement Community, welcoming new residents, volunteering with the community store, assisting with a daily chair exercise program and singing with the “Silver Singers.” In 1954, Bill wed Catherine “Cathy” Lea McCreary and remained married in a loving relationship for 62 years until her passing on June 8, 2016. Those also preceding in death, include brothers Forest “Jimmy” Dean, Ivan R. Dean, Lawrence J. “Fireball” Dean, L. Melvin “Moe” Dean, two infant boys, and sister Katherine “Katie” Dean McCreary. Surviving are children, Dr. Kevin W. (the Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy) Dean of Princeton, NJ and Melissa Dean (David E.) Dallas of Cincinnati; grandchildren Brendan W. Dean of Ridgewood, NY; Shannon M. (Mendel) Katz-Dean of Linden, NJ; Simon D. Dallas of Columbus, OH; and Maxim E. Dallas of Cincinnati; sisters Lara D. Bishop and Gertrude “Pepper” D. Organ of Wheeling; sister-in-law Eleanor Mae Dean of Sherrard, and several nieces and nephews and their extended families. Friends will be received Sunday June 10 from 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 1232 National Road, Wheeling West Virginia (304-242-2455) with a memorial service starting at 4:00 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Dr. Kenda Creasy Dean. Light dinner following in Fellowship Hall. Interment with immediate family will follow in Halcyon Hills cemetery in Sherrard. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contribution may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 1232 National Road, Wheeling West Virginia, 26003 (www.christumcwheeling.org), Inter Parish Ministry, 3509 Debolt Road, Newtown, OH 45244 (www.interparish.org) or West Chester University Foundation - (www.wcufoundation.org/Donatenow ) type in Honors College Project Fund – IMO William Dean. Arrangements handled by Moore Family Funeral Home, Cincinnati, OH.