William J. Mrukowski

William J. "Bill" Mrukowski, of Worthington, OH, died peacefully on May 7, 2012, after a valiant battle with cancer. Bill was born in Elyria, OH, on July 26, 1941 to the late Frank and MaryLou Mrukowski. He was voted All-Ohio in football, basketball, and baseball during his playing days at Elyria High School, as a member of the Class of 1959. He was one of the early inductees into the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame. Bill graduated from The Ohio State University with B.S. and M.A. degrees. He was quarterback on Woody Hayes' 1961 National Championship Football team. He represented Ohio State in the East-West Shrine game and the Hula Bowl. He was a grad assistant coach at Ohio State under Woody Hayes. He also coached at Mohawk High School (Sycamore, OH), Norwalk, and Elyria High Schools. After leaving the coaching field he joined Cole-Layer-Trumble Company of Dayton, OH, to begin his business career. He later moved to Columbus and began a lengthy career with Liebert Corporation, where he became Senior Vice-President of Sales. After retiring from Liebert, he became Senior Vice-President of International Sales for Applied Innovation in Dublin, traveling worldwide. Bill was a member of Varsity "0", member of the OSU basketball 6th Man Club, Buckeye Boosters and a Committeeman. He loved supporting the Buckeyes home and away. Every five years he was an integral part of planning and hosting reunions for his 1961 team. Bill loved RVing and enjoyed summers boating and fishing on Lake Erie at their summer home in Vermilion. He was a member of the Circle of Grandparents in the Worthington Schools. Bill was a long and faithful attendee of Linworth United Methodist Church. Bill is survived by his wife, Linda, married 47 years; sons and daughters-in-law, Bill D. and Tina, Jay and Ellen; four grandchildren, Marissa, Claire, Meredith, and Troy; sister, MaryAnn (Bob) Walker of Elyria; mother-in-law, Millie Nelson Somers; nieces, Sandy Underwood and Sharon Koepp, both of Elyria; nephew, Bob Walker of Maryland. Friends may call from 1-4 and 6-9 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012 at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High St., Worthington. Family and close friends to gather at the funeral home at 9:15 a.m. Saturday for procession to Walnut Grove Cemetery for a graveside burial service at 9:30 a.m. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Bill's life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Linworth United Methodist Church, 7070 Bent Tree Blvd., Columbus, OH 43235 with a reception in Bill's memory immediately afterwards. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Bill's memory to the Church.