Frederick J. "Bill" Besgrove, 84, of Oregon, Ohio passed away Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Bay Park Community Hospital after a long, brave battle with COPD and congestive heart failure. Bill was born on September 24, 1925 in Melvin, Iowa to Frederick and Ruth (Ramsey) Besgrove. He was retired from the former Standard Oil Toledo Refinery (now BP-Husky), where he had served as an instrumentation supervisor for many years. Previously, he had worked for the Pure Oil and Gulf Oil Refineries in Oregon. Bill was a graduate of Sibley High School, Sibley, Iowa. He served honorably as a radioman in the U.S. Navy during both World War II and the Korean War. After moving to Ohio, he served the Oregon community for many years as a volunteer fireman with the District #1 station, retiring with the rank of First Aid Lieutenant. Bill was a founding member of the former Standard Oil Credit Union (now Bay Area Credit Union), and served for many years as that organization's president. He was a member of First St. John Lutheran Church, Toledo, where he served faithfully in many capacities over the years. He also belonged to Christ Dunberger American Legion Post #537 and the U.S.S. Endicott Association. Bill was an avid fisherman and golfer, and a natural handyman who enjoyed tackling any sort of home repair or improvement project. He was also an engaging storyteller who always had an appropriate joke for every occasion. He enjoyed watching war movies and westerns, and took pride in his large collection of John Wayne tapes and DVDs. Bill's favorite pastime, though, was being with the love of his life, Dorothy, his family and his many, many friends. He was a truly remarkable and inspiring man whose fun-loving spirit and positive outlook on life never wavered, even during challenging times. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. Surviving Bill are his children James (Kathleen) and Richard (Christina Wagoner) Besgrove; grandchildren Derek (Erin) Besgrove, Ashlee (Jeffrey) Pax, and Kendyll Besgrove; great-grandchildren Bryce Besgrove and Carson Pax; sisters Thelma (Jake) Bustad of Cherokee Village, Arkansas and Helen Brower of South Sioux City, Nebraska; sister-in-law Donna Besgrove of Iowa City, Iowa and godson Larry Ulery. Preceding him in death were his best friend and loving wife of 58 years, Dorothy (Gentz) Besgrove; parents; step parents Orleana (Meinke) Besgrove and Erwin Polmateer; parents-in-law Arthur and Elizabeth (Wackerlin) Gentz; sister Bette (Besgrove) Stevenson; brother Garry Besgrove; sister-in-law Virginia Gentz and brothers-in-law Clayton Stevenson and Daniel Brower. Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 2 to 9 p.m. at the Eggleston Meinert Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road at Starr Avenue. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday at 1:00 pm in First St. John Lutheran Church, 2471 Seaman Road, Toledo, where the family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in Restlawn Memorial Park. The family wishes to express special thanks to the nursing staffs of St. Charles Mercy and Bay Park Community hospitals, as well as Amedisys Home Health Care, for the exceptional care given to Bill during his illness. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in Bill's memory are asked to consider either First St. John Lutheran Church or Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Visitation: Monday, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, 2:00 - 9:00 p.m. Services: Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. at First St. John Lutheran Church Interment: Restlawn Memorial Park