William Edward Day

William Edward Day, known affectionately as Bill or "Buddy," passed away February 1st, 2026, at the age of 70 in Pickerington, Ohio.

Bill was a history buff and a French major at OSU who never lost his thirst for knowledge. He held a deep fascination for the French and British Monarchy, particularly Queen Marie Antoinette, Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Diana. Bill was inherently charming and possessed a dry wit, always ready with a "zinger" joke that was often delivered with a sparkle in his bright blue eyes.

Though he spent the last 3 years bedridden, Bill’s spirit often traveled back to the things he loved most. He remained a fixture in his friends' lives, making sure to call them each week to share stories and humor. He found happiness in watching documentaries or anything on BBC, and he fondly remembered the years when he was able to be outside planting flowers and trees. He frequently spoke of his travels—especially his cherished trips to California, Paris, and a very special journey to Toronto with his daughter.

A true lover of the arts, Bill found great joy in sharing his vast knowledge of history and art with his family. Whether they were discussing the Renaissance, his favorite icons like Bette Midler and Marilyn Monroe, or his favorite movies “Titanic” and “Marie Antoinette,” he loved to teach and converse. Before the accident that limited his mobility, Bill was a passionate foodie who loved to cook and found joy visiting great restaurants.

Bill was a private and complicated man who navigated life in his own way. While he didn't lead a traditional career path, he saw the best thing he ever did—his greatest achievement—as watching his daughter, Emily, and his granddaughter, Catherine, do great things in their lives. He adored them both and, in his own way, cared for his family deeply.

Bill is survived by his wife, Linda Lewis-Day; his daughter, Emily Lewis; his granddaughter, Catherine Lewis; his mother, Ilene Day; his sister, Jane Sturgill; his sister-in-law, Marsha Gray (Don Gray); six nieces, Sara Gwin, Crystal Day, Jazett Shivers, Jennifer Harris, Julie Hayes, and Molly Desha; and one nephew, Tim Gray. He leaves behind his loyal "menagerie": his dog, Frida, and his cats, Layla, Alex, Jasper, Baby, Stevie, and Amelia. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Allie; father, Robert; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Farley and Mary; his brother, David; his brother-in-law, Larry; his nephews, Michael and Josh; and his beloved dog, Luci. 

Per Bill’s wishes, there will be no formal funeral. Instead, his family will honor his love for a great meal and good conversation by gathering around his birthday in May to share food and exchange the kind of "good stories" and jokes he would have loved. Details for this celebration will be shared at a later date.