Bill McKibben had previously co-owned and operated M & R Plumbing and Heating
William H. McKibben, 92, died July 25, 2018, at Bluffton Hospital. Bill was born Feb. 15, 1926, in Continental, Ohio, to the late Wilbert and Zella (Prowant) McKibben. On June 26, 1948, he married Faye Buckmaster McKibben and she survives.
Bill graduated from Continental High School and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He had previously co-owned and operated M & R Plumbing and Heating in Bluffton with his brother-in-law, Harold Rau. He also had worked as a plumbing inspector for Allen County. Bill was a member of the Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Bluffton, American Legion Post #382, Bluffton and past member of the Bluffton Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his wife, Faye McKibben of Bluffton; a daughter, Deb Downey of Weston, Ohio; two sons, Bill (Paula) McKibben of Jenera, Terry (Katie) McKibben of Bowling Green, Ohio, nine grandchildren, Shaun Downey, Travis (Karen) Downey, Drew (Jillian) Downey, Ethan (Kati) Downey, Rebecca Schwarz, Kurt (Kara) McKibben, Erin (Dustin) Moore, Ryan McKibben, Colin (Samantha Hirsch) McKibben, fifteen great grandchildren, Lukas, Madeline, Logan, Tucker, Cooper and Barrett Downey, Briton (Jayme) Long, Alysa and David Long, Kyle Kurtz, Kassandra, Karson and Karter McKibben, Blaize and Brooks Schwarz; four great-great grandchildren, Jaelyn, Jaxston, Eli and Diego; two brothers, Veron (Charlene) McKibben of Warren, Michigan, Richard (Sue) McKibben of Clarkston, Michigan; and two sisters, Vada Jean Pierce of Pioneer, Ohio and Ghnelda (Charles) McDougle of Rawson.
Bill was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Timothy Downey; two grandsons, Nathan Downey and Aaron Schwarz; three brothers, Glenn McKibben, Ken McKibben and Gaylon McKibben; and a sister, Mary Alice Marriott.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 4, at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Bluffton. Pastor Jeremy Mann officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel United Church of Christ or to the Flag City Honor Flight, P.O. Box 885, Findlay, Ohio 45840.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.
Stories Posted This Week
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Friday, August 22, 2025
Thursday, August 21, 2025
- Cheryl Anise Pingle worked at Dayspring Church
- Lima Highway Patrol OVI checkpoint August 22
- Pirate VB sweeps Rockets
- Pirate boys drop golf tri
- Bluffton Board of Education hears neighbor comments on practice field, approves Lawn Ave. plan
- United Way of Greater Lima holds 9th annual Day of Caring on Sept. 5
- Village of Beaverdam announces committee meetings
- An amazing sign of fall 2025
- August 23 Bluffton Cars & Coffee
- If You Could Read My Mind: GLP-1s and memory
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
- Village of Bluffton reminder of electric aggregation provider, solicitor permit requirements
- Previews of Bluffton Senior Center trips for 2026
- English Lutheran Church to provide Community Meal, August 21
- Welcome back to Bluffton Beavers
- Pirate football reloads for run at NWC crown
- Pirate volleyball swept by Shawnee
- Pirate girls golf loss to Fort Loramie
- Pirate girls tennis edged by Spartans
- Made In Ada Wilson Football Festival kicks of season August 23