Former ONU trustee and athletic hall of famer Rev. William E. Croy, Jr., 66, of Powell, Ohio, died Jan. 29, 2015, at Kobacker House after a four-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

He was born on Dec. 22, 1948, in Lima, Ohio to William and Mary (Now) Croy. He graduated from Ottawa-Glandorf High School, Ohio Northern University and United Theological School.

He was an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and spent his career serving churches through the West Ohio Conference. He served at Miamisburg Parkview UMC, Urbana UMC, Lima Trinity UMC, Worthington UMC and Maple Grove UMC.

During his ministry he was involved with the Camping and Retreat Ministry, Board of Ordained Ministry and various community organizations wherever he served.

He was instrumental in developing the Retreat on Wheels ministry called the Circuit Rider and teaching Youth Ministry courses at Ohio Northern University. He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Ottawa-Glandorf High School and Ohio Northern University. He served on the Board of Trustees at ONU for 18 years.

After the diagnosis of ALS, hel worked hard to raise awareness and money for ALS through his team "Bill's Backers".

He was preceded in death by his father, William, and a brother, Gary. He is survived by his mother, Mary; his wife of 44 years, Dorothy Machunas Croy; a son, Jeremy (Meladie) Croy; a daughter, Megan Croy; three grandchildren, Evan, Corinne, and William.

He is also survived by three sisters, Nancy Vogt, Phyllis (Tim) Macke, Maria Lydick; a brother, Fred Croy; sister-in-law, Susan (Gary) Tobias; brothers-in-law, Robert Machunas and Thomas Machunas; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 The funeral will be held at Maple Grove United Methodist Church, 7 W. Henderson Road, Columbus,  at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Maple Grove UMC, the ALS Association of Central and Southern Ohio or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Shaw-Davis Funeral Homes.