William E. Paulus, 73

William “Bill” Edward Paulus, 73, of Rangeline Road, Russia, passed away of natural causes Saturday evening, Jan. 15, 2022, at the Kettering Health Main Campus in Kettering, Ohio. He was born Feb. 12, 1948, in Fort Loramie, to the late Stephen and Ruth (Barga) Paulus. On May 21, 1966 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Newport, Bill married Elizabeth “Betty” (Zircher) Paulus who survives. Also surviving are five children: Keith and Barb Paulus of Russia, Dan and Bonnie Paulus of Russia, Mike and Teresa Paulus of New Bremen, Kathy and Matthew Burks of Fort Loramie and Karol Paulus of Conover; nine grandchildren: Krista and Brian Schulze, Kendra Paulus, Kyle Paulus, Ryan and Rachel Paulus, Ethan and Hunter Paulus, Brent Paulus, Miranda and Adam Koesterer, Alexa and Jeremy Kemmann and Katie Paulus along with 11 great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Voskuhl and Bob Snyder of Russia and brothers and sisters-in-law: Alan Bachman of Houston, Sherril Geer of Tucson, Arizona, Margaret Zircher of Sidney, David Veit of Houston, Laura Paulus of Minster and Bernie and Joy Zircher of Fort Loramie, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by nine siblings: Marion and Marge Paulus, Norman Paulus, Agnes and Harold Dershem, Rosetta and Jerry Protsman, Rita Bachman, Margaret and Dwight Puthoff, Jerome Paulus, Pearl Paulus, Joe Paulus and Donald Paulus as well as brothers and sisters-in-law: Edward Zircher, Ken Zircher and Linda Veit.

Mr. Paulus was a 1966 graduate of Houston High School. He founded Paulus Excavation in the late 1960s and had been owner-operator until retiring in 2017. Bill was a lifetime member of Newport Sportsman’s Club. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially, fishing, hunting and searching for mushrooms.

Funeral Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie with Deacon Paul Timmerman presiding. Friends were able to call from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday at Gehret Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or charities of choice. Private condolences may be expressed at GehretFuneralHome.com.