William M. “Bill” Taflinger, 76, of Lima passed away peacefully surrounded by his family after a yearlong battle at 3:22 PM on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at St. Rita’s Medical Center.

He was born on December 1, 1945, in Lima to William J. and Rosemary (Promen) Taflinger, who both preceded him in death. On October 17, 1964, he married Rebecca “Becky” Keller, who survives in Lima.

He was a 1963 graduate of Lima Central Catholic, where he played both basketball and baseball and earned a four-year basketball scholarship to The Citadel. One year later, after returning to Lima, he worked at The Lima Steel Foundry, the Post Office and passed his CPA examine at the age of 24. After years of being a self-employed CPA, he started Midwest Plastics. Bill was a past president and longtime member of the L.C.C. Educational Foundation. He had a passion for teaching youth the fundamentals of basketball and for many years put on a free clinic on Sundays at St. Gerard and had coached an AAU traveling basketball team.

Bill was honored and inducted into the L.C.C. Athletic Wall of Excellence in 2015. This year he was to be inducted into the L.C.C. Hall of Fame for his service to L.C.C. Bill was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and a member and past president of the Lima Noon Optimist Club.

He loved all of his grandkids and faithfully attended as many of their activities as possible. He loved to vacation with all of his family in Charleston, SC and traveling with his wife, Becky to Gatlinburg, Nashville and Florida. He loved seeing all his family and friends happy. Every year he would rent rooms at Westgate for his family and employees for a Christmas party and would rent 8 lanes for everyone to bowl. During the 80’s, he loved running. His running friends, sometimes 5, sometimes 20, would meet up at his house on Sunday mornings. He completed the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the Marine Corp. Marathon and numerous others throughout Ohio. He was also a life-long fan of the Cleveland Browns and Indians.

Surviving in addition to his loving wife of over 57 years, Rebecca “Becky” Taflinger are his sons Bill (Rose) Taflinger, Steve (Melinda) Taflinger, both of Lima and Chris (Natalie) Taflinger of Florence, SC; his daughter Andrea (Brad Goecke) Taflinger of Columbus Grove; his grandchildren Aaron (Brooke Flory) Kimbrough of Lima, Danielle (Matthew) Spragg of Findlay, Anthony Kimbrough and Billy (Claire) Taflinger both of Lima, Elizabeth (David Gashaj) Taflinger of Rochester, MI, Nick (Rebecca Fisher) Taflinger of Florence, SC, Stephen Taflinger and Michael Taflinger both of Lima, Emma Taflinger and George Taflinger both of Florence, SC; his great-grandchildren Tyson, Zendaya, Charlie, Connor and Will. Also surviving are his brother Mike (Karen) Taflinger of Lima; his sister Liesl Taflinger of Wapakoneta; his sisters-in-law Nancy Taflinger of Elida, Judy Taflinger and Mary (Dave) Busick both of Lima; his brothers-in-law Ken (Stacy Bryan) Barker, Ben (Pam Oliver) Keller, John (Teresa) Keller and Kim (Barb) Keller all of Lima; numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son Geoff “Stan” Taflinger; his brothers Jim and Tom Taflinger; his sisters Melinda Taflinger and Terri Barker; his nephew John Barker.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at CHILES-LAMAN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES, SHAWNEE CHAPEL. A wake services will be held at 7:30 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 21, 2022 at St. Rose Catholic Church, with Father David M. Ross officiating.

Interment in Gethsemani Cemetery will immediately follow the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the L.C.C. Educational Foundation, St. Rose or St. Gerard School or St. Jude.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.