William R. Herb

William R. “Bill” Herb, 61, of Conneaut, passed away Monday afternoon, May 7, 2018 at the Seidman Cancer Center, with his loved ones by his side. He was born January 1, 1957 in Conneaut, and was the son of Robert and Ruth (Akerly) Herb.

Bill’s interest in cars began as a young child. His family home was across the street from Lew’s Auto Body. Bill liked to hang out there. His mom always knew where to find him.

In 1979, Bill and his wife Nancy purchased the body shop from George Laituri. George was a friend of Bill’s step-grandfather, Homer Lewis. Bill changed the name to Bill’s Auto Body. His lifelong dream had been met. In later years, it became the current Conneaut Collision Center. 

Bill liked to help people, in 2010, he painted the new Conneaut Police Department Cruisers at no charge when the department ran out of funds.

He loved to build, rebuild, and design hot rods, even his daughter Mikayla’s baby stroller that looked just like a 1937 Ford. He won many awards, including the “Top Five Hot Rod,” “Builder’s Choice Award,” “Period Perfect Award,” “Piston Powered Award 2017,” and the “Hot Rod Relix Riot 2016.” His most recent award was at the IX Center Car show for his 1933 White Lightening Coupe. Many of his cars were featured on the covers of magazines including Rod & Customs and Goodguys Gazette. He was a member of the “Good Guys Association.”

Survivors include his wife Nancy (Burdick) Herb, whom he married July 1, 1978; his daughter Mikayla Herb of Cleveland; his sister Judith Kent of Cantonment, FL; his brother Irus “Ike” (Bonnie) Herb of Evans, GA; his aunt Carol M. Herb of North Palm Beach, FL; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Richard and Ruth Burdick; his beloved Irish-Setters “Ripley” and “Chip” who were able to visit him in the hospital; his “sons” at Conneaut Collision; along with many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, more distant relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Michael and Charles “Chuck” Herb; and his brother-in-laws Robert Kent and Dale Crandall.

Funeral service will be 10:00AM, Saturday, May 12, 2018, at the Marcy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 208 Liberty St., Conneaut, with Pastor Joyce Shellhammer officiating. Burial will follow in Glenwood Cemetery. Please join the family in procession with your hot rods and antique cars.

Join Bill’s family in honoring him at a car show immediately following the burial, at Evergreen Lake Park, 703 Center Rd., Conneaut, bring your old car, lawn chair, and a dish to share for pot luck style meal.

Friends may call on Friday evening from 3:00-8:00PM at the funeral home. 

After being told Bill needed a liver transplant and a possible kidney transplant, Bill’s motto was “Be an organ donor-it could save my life!” 

If you would like to make a donation in memory of Bill, please consider the American Liver Foundation, Your Love-Your Life. https://liverfoundation.org/for-patients/donate.now/

Bill’s family would like to express the great need for organ donors. Statistics show that there are more that 123,000 people in the U.S. waiting for an organ, and 1 more person is added to the list every 12 minutes.

Please think about your loved ones, your spouse, your children, your sisters, brothers, friends, etc…please help save someone’s life.

Sign the guestbook at www.marcyfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William R. Herb, please visit our floral store.