William G. Jacobs

William (Bill) George Jacobs, Sr. (85) was peacefully called home by God on October 1, 2025 at 7:30 AM with his wife Mary by his side at Good Shepherd Hospice in Sebring, Florida.

Bill was born on April 10, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan to Robert E. Jacobs and Florence I. (Forton) Jacobs.Jake (as he was known) was a 1958 graduate of Bedford High School in Bedford, Ohio where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. On May 25, 1959 Bill married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann Smith who survives. Theirs was a storybook relationship of the star quarterback marrying a cheerleader.Together their marriage was filled with support, love and laughter. They enjoyed traveling and golfing together. An avid golfer, Bill recorded 4 holes in one and an albatross (double eagle). After being married for over 66 years, they were often asked what was the secret to their successful marriage and the answer was always the same – “humor”. Their sense of humor together made the good times great and the struggles much more bearable as nothing would defeat the love he and Mary shared and will continue to share.

Bill worked at Ford Motor Company’s Lima Engine Plant in Lima, Ohio for over 35 years many of which were as foreman of the 6 cylinder crankshaft line. His work ethic was unsurpassed as he provided a wonderful life for his family and served as a great example for his children Vicki Lee (Stevenson) Hicks(deceased), Wendy Alyce (Craig – deceased) Basinger and William George Jacobs, Jr. (Karen). Again, the house was filled with support, love and laughter. Bill was blessed with 8 grandchildren; Jason Stevenson, Dan Stevenson, Nathan Stevenson (deceased), Jenny (Hicks) Arbuckle, Bill Basinger, Jessica(Jacobs) Butterfield, Brandon Schreiber and Bill Jacobs III. Upon retirement, Bill and Mary moved to Highlands Ridge, a golfing retirement community in Avon Park, Florida where they gained many close friends and lived out their dream together – always together.

Bill Jacobs’ legacy will live on with the life lessons he taught, the love he gave and the laughter he shared. He was his own man and in that truly amazing. A wonderful husband, “the best dad ever”, and great grandpa (paw-paw), as Frank Sinatra would say – He Did It His Way and we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

A family gathering will be held in Ohio to celebrate Bill’s wonderful life.