William E. Findley, Was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served in the Korean War

Bill was born July 14, 1933 in Lorain, Ohio to Claire and Mary (nee Micklos) Findley. He was a graduate of Lorain High School class of 1952 and later received an Associate’s Degree in Business Management and obtained certification as a Drug and Alcoholism Counselor. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force having served in the Korean War.

Bill worked at the U.S. Steel Plant in Lorain then resigned to seek employment as a probation officer and bailiff for Judge John Kolena and the judicial staff of different court systems. He later was employed with BMI, Inland, and Lakeway Refractory Companies. His true calling was in being actively involved with the recovery community. Bill shared his experience, strength and hope with his unique brand of humor by advocating and establishing recovery-inspired programs in Lorain and Cuyahoga counties. Amongst those accomplishments were the opening of the Lorain Central Office, the SOS Club, two recovery organizations dedicated to helping those who could not access care in any other way, and the development of Lake Erie Addiction Foundation (LEAF) an organization which provided financial aid to numerous agencies.

In 1968 he became the director of the Lorain County Council of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. Since that time Bill has worked unceasingly to assist countless numbers of individuals and their families.

In 1970 Bill was actively involved and lobbied for the Hughes Alcoholism Act which established funding for Alcohol and Drug Addiction services. At about that same time he presented programs for Channel 43 on the treatment of alcohol and drug addiction sharing his belief that the cost of treating one alcoholic is minimal compared to the cost to society and the citizens of a community.

In 1971 he was presented the National Award for Innovative Treatment of Alcoholism from the Federation of County Governments in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Between the years of 1982 thru 1989 Bill served as the Director of the Catholic Charities Alcohol and Drug Program working in conjunction with the Matt Talbot Inn, the first Substance Abuse/Mental Illness Project in the state of Ohio. In 1986 Catholic Charities presented Bill with the Man of the Year Award.

In 1986 Bill was involved in planning the first recovery Memorial Day Breakfast, a tradition which continues to this day. He was a member of the Serenity Hall Steering Committee, the Haven Center for the Homeless Expansion Committee, the Diocesan Task Force for chemical dependency. He also was selected to be a member of the Governor’s Task Force to combat homelessness.

In 1989 Bill founded and served as Executive Director of Compass House, the largest treatment agency in Lorain County, a position from which he retired in 1996. During the years Bill established the Compass House Foundation he also founded the Newburgh House of Hope for chemically addicted women. Compass House was affectionately known by the late Bishop A.J. Quinn as “Convents, Inc.” because many of his facilities were housed in closed convents throughout Lorain County. Countless families have been assisted and re-united because of Compass House and its staff.

The Lorain County Commissioners proclaimed August 28th 1996 as William E. Findley/Compass House day in Lorain County, Ohio.

Most recently, Bill was inducted into the first class of the Ohio Addictions Professional Hall of Fame with such notables as Sister Ignatius and Dr. Bob Smith.

Bill was a blessing and an inspiration to people throughout the U.S. and Hawaii by attending numerous conferences and making presentations. His life was a devotion to helping others. Perhaps his special qualities can be summarized best in words from his grandson who wrote, “Grandpa Findley is cool because he helps people who make bad choices learn to make good choices.”

He is proudly survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol (nee Lenzen) his children, Candace (Glenn) Muskovich, Donald (Linda) Findley, Steven (Lorna) Findley, Diane Seekins Friel, Brad (Laurie) Seekins, Kirk (Laurie) Seekins, 25 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, brother Frank (Elvira) Findley, several nieces and nephews and thousands of recovering alcoholics.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Findley, son-in-law Jack Friel and several aunts and uncles.

Bill was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish 2143 Homewood Drive Lorain, Ohio where visitation and services will be held. Visitation will be Friday May 1, 2015 from 3:00pm till 8:00pm and Saturday May 2, 2015 at 10:00am with Mass immediately following at 11:00am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the devoted friends who have helped Bill over the years, the staff members of the Hospice of the Western Reserve and the VA for the loving care and many hours of physical and emotional support they gave to Bill during his illness.

In memory of Bill’s life passion the family requests prayers for the many suffering alcoholics still to be helped. Donations if desired can be made in Bill’s name to the Hospice of the Western Reserve 17876 St. Clair Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44110 or to the Central Office of Alcoholics Anonymous 710 Broadway Lorain, Ohio 44052.

Arrangements are being handled by Reichlin-Cooley Funeral Home 2920 Broadway Lorain, Ohio 44055. 440-244-3255.