William "Bill" Messmann

William "4-Barrel" Messmann, age 81 of Defiance, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, October 13, 2024 at CHP Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice Center.   

He was born on October 1, 1943 to the late William D. and Ellen Rose (Buerkle) Messmann in Paulding, Ohio. Bill was a 1961 graduate of Paulding High School. On May 15, 1987 he married Marie Barrett, who survives. 

Bill worked for over 50 years at Johns Manville in Defiance until his retirement in 2013. He was a member of Defiance Eagles #372, Moose Lodge #2094, VFW #3360, and the NRA. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Guardians and The Ohio State Buckeyes. Bill was a huge sports fan and especially bowling, drag racing, and NASCAR. He will be sadly missed by his family and many good friends. 

Bill is survived by his loving wife Marie Messmann of Defiance, and his children, Ryan Messmann of Warsaw, IN, Kristen (Justin Petersen) Messmann of Maricopa, AZ, Todd (Trish) Messmann of Paulding, OH, Dan (Renee) Messmann of Leo, IN, Karen (David Mueller) Relyea of Perrysburg, OH, Renee L. Messmann of Hilliard, OH, Amy (Donald) Hampt of Las Vegas, NV, and Gina (Paul) Wilkinson-Workman of Van Wert, OH. He also leaves behind his siblings, Alyce (Richard) Reinhart and Marshall (Cheryl) Davis, all of Paulding, OH, Kathleen Landon and Janet (Tim) Miller, all of Columbus, OH, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog "Shelby". 

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his stepfather Richard Davis, father-in-law James Barrett, and brother-in-law Michael Barrett.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Riverside Cemetery. Schaffer Funeral Home was honored to assist the family with arrangements.

Memorials are suggested to CHP Defiance Area Hospice.

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