William Hairston

William Hairston (Big Time/Bill) was born in Williamson, West Virginia to Claude and Virginia Hairston on August 3, 1948, and completed his journey unexpectedly on November 3, 2021, at his home. Bill attended Columbus East High School and graduated in 1967. Later, he faithfully served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged on April 1, 1975. Throughout his career, Bill was employed at The Ohio State University Hospital (OSU) (currently, The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center) as a journeyman plumber in the Plumbing Department. Additionally, he received training in OSU’s Plumbing Apprenticeship Program. However, Bill’s primary employment was in the field of safety and security.

Throughout his career, he was a very devoted employee at the Ohio State University Hospital, JCPenney, Battelle Memorial Institute, and currently at Allied Universal Security, stationed at Clark Grave Vault. Bill was personable, dependable, rarely missed work, and did whatever the job required, including the many long hours executed outside of the standard work week.
Bill professed his faith in Jesus Christ and joined Bethany Christian Church, 537 Wilson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, at an early age. Presently, he is a member of First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio, under the pastorship of Bishop Timothy Clark.

Bill was honest and loyal and possessed strong moral and ethical values. He was strong-willed, but a man of integrity. He had a magnetic personality and a clever sense of humor. Bill made friends easily and was comfortable in the presence of those he recently met. He was an avid fisherman and loved sitting on the bank with family and friends. Additionally, he had a life-long love affair with a good steak, baked potato, and sour cream! For generations to come, Bill leaves a family legacy of admirable unconditional love, trustworthiness, and hard work. His caring heart was spiritually strong and compassionate. Bill had no biological children, but he built genuine relationships with loved ones and others who had children. Bill will be missed deeply, but precious memories will be held closely by all of us who lovingly knew him.

At the age of 73, Bill is welcomed into the company of ancestors and family members who preceded his passing: parents, Claude and Virginia Hairston; uncles, Alonzo, Robert, and George Edwards; aunts, Mattie Jean (Booker) Baker, Grace (Howard) Williams, and Katherine (Walter) Gray; and cousins, Gerald Avery and Karen Kelley. Yet, the sacred bond holds together a loving family, Robert (Julie) Avery, Ronald (Deidra) Avery, Bill (Marilyn) Gray, and Deborah (Allen) Dukes. Many others are within the extended reach of what we know as family, including a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends, and beloved friends, Sherman Ingram, Tony Bush, Jenny Gary, Quinn Brown, Evelyn Martin,
Bernice and James Motley, and Mary Trowbridge.

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