Obituaries

Bill was born Sept 15,1941 to Norman William Ziegelmeyer Sr. and Helen Adelaide Ziegelmeyer (nee Plunkett) in Covington, Kentucky. The oldest of five brothers, he attended St. Patrick's School in Covington through 8th grade before attending high school at Covington Catholic. He would have graduated with the Class of 1959 but left school in 1958 to enlist in his beloved United States Marine Corp. In 2009 he received an honorary diploma from Covington Catholic at his 50th reunion.

In the Marine Corp Bill was stationed in Olathe, Kansas and became an Aviation Electronics Specialist. He worked on the communication systems of jet aircraft. His military training prepared him for his lifetime career as an Electronic Technician.

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 1959, Bill married his sweetheart Marilyn Flerlage at St. Anthony's Church, Latonia, Kentucky. Their 65 year marriage saw the birth of four sons, Gary, Jim, Steve and John.

After completing his service in 1962, Bill and Marilyn returned to Kentucky now with two babies, Gary and Jim, in tow. They settled in Kenton County right down the road from Marilyn's family's farm. In the following 4 years they became parents again with Steve and John.

Bill's inquisitive nature and eclectic tastes led to an unending series of hobbies. Some even Marilyn enjoyed. These included falconry, woodworking, woodcarving, hunting, bass fishing, catfishing, gardening, archery, motorcycles, radio controlled airplanes, wine making, guitar, bow making, leather craft, drones, 3-D modeling, cooking, candy making, taxidermy, photography and anything computer related. There was also a menagerie of pets and animals over the years. Falcons, hawks, owls, skunks, raccoons, German Shepherds, Beagles, coonhounds, gerbils, ferrets, parakeets, pheasants, quail and fish.

He worked for 17 years at MobilComm, a Cincinnati-based company that sold and serviced two-way radios and communication systems. He later worked for Cincinnati Bell from which he retired.

In the mid 1990's he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He managed this condition for decades through hormonal therapy. Unfortunately in late 2024 he was diagnosed with a more aggressive form of prostate cancer which had metastasized and spread to his bones. Chemotherapy failed to control the cancer.

The day before his passing his wife and four sons with a few other family members gathered in his hospital room at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Throughout the day many stories were recounted of all their times together. Though Bill could not talk he could hear the conversations and reacted to his families voices.

Bill passed away on Wednesday, Sept 10, 2025. The only one in the room was Marilyn who was by his side just as she had been for the last 65 years.

Bill is survived by his wife Marilyn Flerlage Ziegelmeyer. Sons: Gary William (Cathy), James Joseph (Terry), Steve (Mary) and John Allen. Grandchildren: Meredith, Courtney, Emily, Sarah, Nick, Beth, Erin, Travis, Kristina, Hannah, and Hunter. Brothers: Kenneth Leo and Richard Anthony.

He is preceded in death by his parents: Norman William Ziegelmeyer Sr. and Helen Adelaide Ziegelmeyer (nee Plunkett) and brothers Edward James and Daniel Joseph.

Visitation is 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 20 followed by mass at 11:00 a.m., both at St. Patrick's Church at 3285 Mills Rd, Taylor Mill, KY 41015.