Dr. William R. Grubler, 90, of Wheeling, passed away Friday, July 1, 2016 at home, surrounded by family.
He was born August 17, 1925, in Wheeling, son of the late Bernard J. and Regina (Eisenhauer) Grubler Sr. Dr. Bill was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, the Holy Name Society and served as a Eucharistic Minister and lector, as well as President of Civitan Charities from 1969-70, and an active member of the Wheeling Serra Club since 1955. He graduated Central Catholic High School in 1943 and West Liberty State College in 1948, before attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry where he graduated Cum Laude in 1952.
After graduating high school, Dr. Bill served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery. During his 2.5 years in the army, he served as a gunner on a 155MM Howitzer in the Ruhr Pocket in Germany during WWII. Following his discharge from the Army, Bill returned to West Liberty College where he played football under Coach Joe Bartell, before going to dental School in Pittsburgh. Dr. Grubler practiced dentistry in Wheeling until his retirement after 40 years (1992). During that time he was a member of The Wheeling District Dental Society, The West Virginia Dental Society and the American Dental Society. In the 1950’s, Dr. Bill was responsible for the establishment of the Ohio County Dental Clinic at Madison School, which continues to serve free dental care to needy children.
Following his retirement, he was awarded the Robert Bridgeman Award as “W. Va.’s Distinguished Dentist.” in 1998. In 1996, Dr. Grubler was named to the “West Liberty College Wall of Honor”.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Dorothy Mae Grubler, who passed away 34 days before him; one sister, Catherine (Stanley) Freismuth; and one son-in-law, Jerry Schmitt.
Dr. Bill is survived by his six lovely children, Jeanne Marie Schmitt of Wheeling, William R. “Rusty” (Janet) Grubler Jr. of Wheeling, Mark A. (Nevada) Grubler of Rougemont, NC, Gary Grubler and David Dierks of Blacklick, OH, Laura (Alan) Frank of Danville, OH, and Holly (George) Trauner of Centerville, PA; 14 grandchildren, Amy (Carl) Bowman, Jerome (Allysa) Schmitt Jr., Luke (Nicole) Schmitt, Kirk Grubler, Corey (Ashley) Grubler, Melissa (Hardy) Bobbitt, Kelsey Grubler, Samantha Frank, Jordan Frank, Austin Frank, Rachel Trauner, Olivia Trauner, Allie Trauner, and J.R. Trauner; nine great-grandchildren, Abby and Ashley Bowman, Adeline, Emily and Lily Schmitt, Landon and Madilynn Bobbitt, Sydney Grubler and Beau Schmitt.