William George Kissinger

William "Bill" "Billy" George Kissinger, 81, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on March 5, 2024. Bill was born on October 16, 1942, to George W. and Alma L. (nee Rosemeyer) Kissinger. His is preceded in death by his father George, mother Alma, and sister Clara. As a child Bill enjoyed being a caddy at Losantiville Country Club in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended Woodward High School graduating in 1960. He was a member of the Delta Beta fraternity. As a musician who played the saxophone and a little piano, he participated in high school marching band, dance band, and show band. Anyone who knew Bill at all, knew that he loved music, singing, and dancing; he danced a really mean Jitterbug. They also knew that he would have been a formidable opponent on the gameshow "Name That Tune" or artist!! Right out of high school at the age of 17, Bill joined the US Navy in 1960. He performed duties as an AX and achieved the rank of Second Class Petty Officer. He was assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 5, NAS, Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He served in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. He completed his service in 1963, then finished his commitment in the Naval Reserves in 1966. Some of his favorite memories were of his Navy experiences including his stations of Key West, Jacksonville, and Jamaica. After serving in the Navy, Bill joined the backup band on saxophone for the Cincinnati singing group the Casinos on their regional hit recording, "She's Out of Sight". They had the privilege of performing this song on March 28, 1965, at the Cincinnati Gardens opening for the Beach Boys. However, his most memorable musical experience occurred in 1967, when he recorded with the Casino's on their gold record, "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye". While working, sometimes two jobs, multiple shifts, raising two children, and attending night school, he eventually graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BA in Management. He was an avid antique model train and antique car collector, as well as a street rod enthusiast. He was a long time member of The Queen City Classic Chevy Club, the Studebaker Club, Model Train club, and friend of the Cincy Street Rods. He was highly skilled in car restoration, and his 55 Nomad and 57 Chevy were two of his favorite projects. The latter which he proudly displayed at the Cincinnati Cavalcade of Customs Car Show. Bill enjoyed a brief stint as a nighttime DJ at WLW, and went on to DJ local dances, most frequently for the Cincinnati Bop Club in which he was an active member and participant in dancing as well. Retired from the US Postal Service, he began in maintenance, was promoted to supervisor at the Bulk Mail Center in Sharonville, and ended his career as a purchasing agent. A lifelong Cincinnatian, Bill was an avid Reds, Bengals, and UC Bearcat fan. He bowled for years at Brentwood Bowl and loved all motorsport racing. He was a big guy with a big personality and never knew a stranger. He was able to maintain lifelong friendships, with his longest lasting since Kindergarten. He was a true patriot and loved his country. After retiring he continued to chase his dreams by traveling. Bill will be loved and missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his daughter Lori (Greg) Corsmeier, son William J.”Billy” (Carrie) Kissinger, granddaughters Paige Corsmeier and Casey Kissinger, dear sister Jane ( Lee) Erbeck, loving companion of ten years, Gail Pruett, former wife Carol Robinson Kissinger, pets Spanky and Gidget, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including his friends of over sixty years, his “Soul Brothers” Tony Krueger and Bill Osterman. 

Visitation will be held at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6410 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, Liberty Twp., OH 45044, on Thursday, March 14, 2024 from 11 AM until time of Funeral Service at 12:15 PM. Burial at Dayton National Cemetery will follow at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation.