10/26/2025
With great sadness, the family of retired Captain William Stansberry announces that the Captain has passed away after an extended illness.
The City of Chillicothe and Chillicothe Division Of Police thank you for your dedication to Community Policing and Crime Prevention in your service to the community.
Obituary
William M. Stansberry went home to be with his Lord and to join his beloved wife on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in Chillicothe, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 9, 1951, in Nelsonville, Ohio to the late Frederick and Doris (Chambers) Stansberry. On February 5, 1978, he married Janet R. “Jan” Blair at the home of his late grandparents.
William was a dedicated and hard-working individual from an early age, beginning his first job at just 14 at the Torch Drive-In Theater. He always seemed to hold a second job somewhere, known for his strong work ethic. He graduated as the youngest member of the Chillicothe High School Class of 1969.
After graduation, William attended and graduated from the Ohio State Barber College. He worked at Gray’s Barber Shop before joining the United States Army in November of 1971. During his military service, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky; Fort Gordon, Georgia; and Bremerhaven, Germany.
In 1974, William began a distinguished career with the Chillicothe Police Department, where he rose through the ranks and ultimately retired as Captain. He was also deeply involved in his community, serving on the Huntington School Board, leading the Youth Crime Watch Program, and mentoring young people through the Ross County Junior Deputies.
After retiring from the police force, William continued to serve his community working at Chillicothe Metropolitan Housing, as a Deputy Sheriff with the Ross County Sheriff’s Department, as well as a security officer and probation officer with the Chillicothe Municipal Court. He also devoted 24 years to volunteering at the Republican Booth at the Ross County Fair and was an ordained minister.
William was a proud member of the American Legion Post #62, lifelong member of the VFW Post #108, F.O.P, and Logan Elm Masonic Lodge #624 F & AM, the Shrine Club, and Mount Tabor Church.
Surviving are their children: Sonya Sams (Joe Sheets), Stacy (Chris) Coffee, Anthony (Stephanie) Stansberry, Bill Stansberry Jr.(Jackie Trent), and Angelica (James) Gamon; grandchildren: Mika (Chris) Gee, Cooper Coffee, Aerial Stansberry, Keirra Stansberry, Anthony Stansberry, Jr., Aubrey (Johnathon) Makni, Jackson Stansberry, Cloe Stansberry, Jayden Gamon and Jamison Gamon; great-grandchildren: Chris Gee, Jr., Aidan McCoy, Delilah Sams, Rylie Benson, Owen Henson, Emma Henson, and Joel Makni. Also surviving are his siblings, Bob (Diana) Stansberry, Danny (Sharon) Stansberry, Brenda Rinehart, Donnie Stansberry and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Rob Rinehart, a brother, David Wayne Stansberry, and grandson Ethan Sams.
William never met a stranger and had tremendous love for his family, his second home in Myrtle Beach where he also worked as security and all things Jimmy Buffett, pigs, and Santas.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 1:00pm at the Haller Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Hartley officiating. Military Honors and Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 4 – 7 pm at the funeral home. The family love for Jimmy Buffett attire be worn.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Chillicothe VA, National Church Residence, or Mount Tabor Church would be appreciated by the family.
