William E Adley

William “Bill” Emmet Adley 1930-2022

Age 92, passed away on December 18, 2022. Bill was born in Canton, Ohio on January 29, 1930 to the late Emmet and Lucille Adley.

Bill graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1948, attended Saint Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana from 1949-1950 then went on and completed both a Bachelors and Masters in Education at Kent State University. While studying Bill learned how to implement Quality Assurance Programs in Health Care Systems and would go on to do this in Ohio, Texas, Kansas and Missouri. Bill served in the Army and fought in the Korean War in the Second Infantry Division. Bill received the following service awards; Purple Heart, Combat Badge, Defense of Country, Marksman Badge, Expert Rifle, and Korean Veterans Medals.

Bill was the first Executive Director of the 169 Board of Stark County covering Alliance Canton and Massillon with a focus on Workshops transitioning from crafts to contracted work with private organizations. Bill also assisted in providing housing for the mentally disabled and mentally ill, along with those struggling with drug addiction. During his tenure, he met with President Kennedy and the First Lady, addressing the programs in place. President Kennedy and First Lady were very focused on these programs as the President’s sister was disabled, and this was very close to his heart. Bill also worked with Senator Claude Pepper of Florida developing two bills addressing the mentally ill and mentally challenged, which the President signed into law. Later as the Executive Director of the 648 Board, he opened up patient clinics, setting up the first children’ s program, along with suicide prevention services and half ways houses for alcoholics from 1968-1977. He continued in this role as Executive Director of the 648 Board in Fairfield County, Lancaster, Ohio from 1977-1982 and in Houston, Texas from 1982-1986.

Bill became a Hospital Administrator at Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph, Missouri from 1986 until he retired in 1995, and received an Accommodation Letter from the Joint Commission of Hospitals and Facilities.

During retirement, he volunteered as a Court Angel for the Probate Court in Stark County. In addition to his parents, Bill is preceded in death by Ex-Wife Ann and mother of six children, Wife JoAnn and mother of two children, Wife Jeanne, son David Adley and son-in-law Richard Kulick. Bill is survived by his wife Joyce and his brother Tom (Nancy) Adley, children Stephen (Tom) Adley, Mary (Gabe) Adley-Nemeth, Kathleen Kulick, William (Gail) Adley, Leslie (Joseph) Calhoun, Daniel (Kareen) Adley, daughter Lori (Jason) Duchon; 22 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren. In keeping with Bill’s wishes he will be cremated. There will be a Funeral Mass at Saint Michael’s Catholic Church in Canton, Ohio on Wednesday, December 21st at 12noon with Fr. Conner Hetzel as celebrant. There will be a private family Military Funeral where his cremated remains will be interned at the Military Cemetery in Rittman at a later date. After the Funeral Mass Family and Friends are gathering at Palumbo’s Restaurant in North Canton, Ohio to celebrate Bill’s Life and Legacy at 1:30pm. The Adley Family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation for all the support and comfort that Southern Care Hospice provided. The Family would also like to thank The Inn at Belden Village for all the loving care provided to their father who always said he loved his home there and all the staff and friends. The Wackerly Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Donations may be made to Sancta Clara Monastery in Canton, Ohio and the Veterans Administration and Commission. Personal condolences are invited on line at: www.wackerlyfuneralhome.com

                                                     (Wackerly 330 455-5235)

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