William E. "Bill" Baxter, 75, of Ray, Ohio, passed at 8:50 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024 in the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center following an extended illness.

He was born May 1, 1949, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Gilbert C. and Nellie E. Hallett Baxter.  On April 6, 1969, he married the former Rita R. Sayre who survives.

Surviving are children, Michael (Cornelia) Baxter, Michele (Robert Lee) Elliott, Jeremy (Sherrie) Baxter, all of Ray and Billie (Barney) DuBois, of Chillicothe; grandchildren, Christopher Hoffman, Sharon McKenna, Stacey McKenna, Tamara McKenna, Christopher Trent, Cortney Kincaid, Kayla McMillen, Madison Baxter, Coleton Baxter, Emma Specht, Jacob Specht, Jerilynn DuBois and Madilynn DuBois; 8 great grandchildren; a brother Daniel (Diana) Baxter, of Jackson; many nieces and nephews; and special friends, Sister Mary and Sister Michael.  He was predeceased by his father, Gilbert C. Baxter; mother and step father, Nellie and Nolan Smith; and brothers, John and Carl Baxter.

Bill served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.  He attended the Richmond Dale Church of God, retired from the C.S.X. Railroad and was a member of American Legion Post 757.  Bill was an avid car lover, he enjoyed drag racing, attending car shows, and swap meets with his friends.  He loved the outdoors, guns, and deer hunting.  But most of all, Bill loved his wife Rita of 55 years, his children, grand children and his family.  Bill loved being surrounded by family teasing and making everyone laugh.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, August 1, 2024 in the WARE FUNERAL HOME with Pastor John Evans II officiating.  Burial will follow in Little Mound Cemetery where military graveside rites will be conducted by the Ross County Veterans Honor Guard.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Missionaries of Sacred Heart PO Box 250 Clarksburg, OH 43115.

You may sign his online register at www.warefh.com

The family would like to give a special thanks to his friends and caregivers at the Chillicothe VA for the love and care he received.