Orville William Gruebmeyer, Jr

August 26, 1937 - July 22, 2025

Born in rural Ohio, Bill was a talented student who loved music, sandlot baseball, and his Ohio State Buckeyes, with whom he played alto trumpet in the marching band. In a college essay, he once said that running up the ramp into the Horseshoe was one of the greatest thrills of his life.

In Michigan, after serving in the Army in a non-combat role that later gifted him with almost complete deafness, Bill became known as a wonderful husband, father, and friend. His wife, Judy couldn’t have asked for a more supportive and patient partner, and his children loved him wholeheartedly. We are also grateful for all of those magical cookouts on the beach, long sled rides in the dunes, and the many ice-cold afternoons sailing Lake Michigan with Dad on his beloved Sunfish.

Bill made North Carolina home after gaining an engineering job in Charlotte. Notable for his brilliance at work and his stamina running marathons, Bill built a wonderful career and an impressive list of running accomplishments, including the Grandfather Mountain Marathon, which he ran twice. Bill also loved to encourage his children and grandchildren in their own sporting interests, always up for shooting basketball on the cul-de-sac or supporting his grandkids at volleyball or soccer. His grandchildren will remember many hikes and long talks with their beloved grandpa.

Bill loved people and remembered everything he ever learned about any of his friends. Even decades later, Bill took delight in others’ accomplishments and could name many of their children and where they went to school. A lifelong volunteer, Bill gave blood religiously and received the Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service for his work with Habitat for Humanity.

Bill's later years were full of life, and were highlighted by the many outdoor adventures with family, including to the Grand Canyon, California’s Redwood Forest, the Tetons, a memorable journey to the outer banks with his adult son, a wonderful boy’s road trip to see the Buckeyes, and a solo trek to the top of the most dangerous hike in America, Angels’ Landing in Zion National Park.

In addition to the stamina and courage it took to do that, Bill’s life was marked by a selfless commitment to his family, unfailing honesty, dedication to doing what's right, and a powerful humility that made putting others first, easy.

Bill is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Matt and Kristin; daughter in law, Angela; grandchildren, Parker, Fionn, Grace, and Ethan; and brother, Mark.

Bill was a member of the marching band from 1957 through 1958. He played Trumpet.