William "Bill" W. Britton

W.W. (Bill) Britton, passed Tuesday April 7th, 2026. He was born May 13th, 1936, in Dayton Ohio. His childhood summers were spent working on his grandfather’s apple orchard, and he always spoke fondly of that time. He was an all-state freestyle swimmer in high school, and also played clarinet in an orchestra that won statewide honors. He graduated from Bartlesville (OK) high school in 1954, and matriculated at the University of Cincinnati. While there, he walked onto the university swim team, and graduated in 1960. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He briefly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Bill was a co-op while at UC, at Phillips Petroleum Company, and spent over 35 years with them, in various positions, finally in sales in the carbon black division.

He spent his remaining career with Career Curve, and had a true passion for helping people through work transitions, finally retiring at the age of 86. He was a true Renaissance man. He loved classical music, and had a vast collection of CD’s. He built his own hi-fi stereo systems, worked on cars, played the clarinet, was an avid fan of the Guardians and the Cavaliers, read Popular Science and Popular Mechanics magazines, loved nature, gardening, manufacturing technology, played pick up basketball, and was a quick study in learning about any subject that interested him. He competed in the Adult Masters Swimming Program in his 50s and 60s, and won multiple awards. He was a member of Church Of Our Saviour Episcopal Church in Akron, OH, and a long time member of the choir.

He married the love of his life, Beth ( Trevathan) Britton, in 1990, and spent many happy years together raising children, until her untimely passing in 2024. No memorial of Bill would be complete without fondly mentioning his fierce competitiveness, his storytelling, his wit, his (often too loud) boisterousness, and his penchant for telling you not what to do, but how to do it.

He is predeceased by his parents, brothers, and sister.

He is survived by his sons, Ross ( Mimi) Britton of Austin TX, Brad ( Victoria Rentel) Britton of Upper Arlington OH, Matthew Britton of Akron OH, and David Britton of Akron OH; His grandchildren, Erica ( Eddie) Cantu of Dripping Springs TX, Shane ( Miranda) Britton of College Station TX, J.T. ( Charlotte Brigham) Britton of Houston TX, George Britton and Lydia Britton of Upper Arlington, OH; His great-grandchildren, Lillian, Emmett, and Paige; His nephew, Rich Britton of Mountlake Terrace, WA; his nieces, Karisa Nettleton of Portland OR, and Andrea Nettleton of Rockville, MD.

Graveside service and burial next to Beth will be held at Foxfield Preserve in Wilmot, OH, Thursday, 11:00a.m., April 16th, 2026, The Reverend Debra Bennett officiating. The family has entrusted Newcomer Funeral Home, Akron OH with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Doctors Without Borders, or the Union Of Concerned Scientists, two organizations that were favorites of Bill.

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