Dr. William Edward Daehler (Bill) passed away, with his family in attendance on August 7, 2026 at the age of 100. He was born in Portsmouth and lived his whole life here, except for college years and two years in the Navy during WWII.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ada and Dr. John Walter Daehler, his first wife Catherine in 1999, his daughter and son in law Marsha and Dr. Benny Binns, a grandson Michael Gering, brother Carl Daehler, sisters Dorothy Brown and Anna Stillwell, and many dear aunts and uncles.
Bill grew up in the family home on the corner of 9th and Offnere Sts. He attended Offnere and Highland schools, was a 1943 PHS grad, went to MIT as a 17 year old and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1952. He had a long time interest in sports, playing basketball (playing on the MIT basketball team), volleyball (was on the YMCA Board of Directors and was president), bowling and softball. Later in life he was an avid tennis player, playing until the age of 91 years, with good friends Bill Anderson, Andy Cropper, Dr. Herb Nickell, Ted Adams, Dr. Dan Martelino, Pete Finimore, Don Nichols, Ron Chapman and others. The sport prompted him to donate to the tennis facility at Shawnee State University.
He also had a deep interest in Music, playing the French Horn in the PHS band, with the MIT Symphony Orchestra and in the Michigan Marching Band with a Rose Bowl appearance. Throughout his life he enjoyed playing the piano, with a decided preference for the compositions of Chopin.
When first at MIT, Bill wanted to become an electrical engineer, but while in the Navy in WWII his interest turned to medicine. The Navy provided electronic technician training – most of his duty being on Midway island tending aircraft.
After two years of training at Cincinnati hospitals, Bill began his medical practice in Portsmouth in 1954. He did general practice and anesthesia, concentrating on the latter in his last years of practice. He was president of the Scioto County Medical Society, Chief of Staff at both Mercy and Scioto Memorial Hospitals, Chief of Anesthesia at both hospitals and was the first instructor in the Portsmouth area in the 1960’s to provide cardiac life support (CPR) classes to firemen, service clubs and schools.
A keen interest in history prompted him to write an extensive book about the Daehler family, as well as books on the history of tennis in Scioto County, the history of instrumental music at Portsmouth High School and books summarizing the minutes of the Hempstead Academy, which was an association of local physicians of the 19th and early 20th century.
Bill had an avid interest in gardening, loved trying new recipes, working crossword and other puzzles daily. He also created crossword and other word games for Daehler family reunions.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Anita Morrison Daehler whom he married in 2001. They had a wonderful partnership, she providing outstanding nursing care. They traveled extensively, making trips to many countries, including to Europe where they often visited a dear cousin Kerstin Weil Stubenrauch and family residing in the small German town of Hochst a.d. Nidder. He is also survived by children Shelley Iliff (Scott), William Daehler Jr. (Brenda), Rebecca Daehler and James W. Daehler(Sara) as well as ten grandchildren: Kimberly DeJesus, Sarah McGill (Trajan), Megan Webster (Mitch), Matthew Gering, Katherine Gering-Williams (Evan), Will Gering (Amelia), Eli Gering, Katherine Miller (Eric), James Daehler II (Monica), and Margaret Bradley (Travis). Also surviving are nine great grandchildren Kingston DeJesus, Scott McGill, Daehler McGill, James Daehler III, Aurora Webster, Graham Webster, Liam Bradley, Cole Bradley and Warren Daehler.
Bill was a beloved member of both the Daehler and Morrison families and will be dearly missed.
Arrangements are under the direction of F.C. Daehler Mortuary.
As per his wishes, there will be no visitation, but friends and family may attend,
Graveside Service at Greenlawn Cemetery, 902 Gallia Street, Portsmouth, OH, on
Friday, September 11th, 2026, at 11:30 AM.
American Legion, James Dickey Post #23, will be officiating and performing military honors.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to his favorites: Scioto Foundation, University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan Instrumental Music, Southern Ohio Museum., Camp Oyo, Phi Beta Epsilon Fraternity, Cambridge Mass.
Please visit www.fcdaehlermortuary.com to leave a special memory of Dr. William Daehler, or condolences for his family.
