Page created by: Jane and Sarah

Bill Sweet was unconventional. An only child, he built a crystal radio set and ham radio equipment, and was a Soap Box Derby winner by 11. He talked to people around the globe on the ham radio, rode a unicycle, and worked as an investigator and photographer before graduating from high school. During college, he earned a private pilot license. A graduate of Berea High School, he received his Bachelor of Science in math and physics (cum laude) from Heidelberg College, and Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University.

He was a lover of words, food, tools, travel, friends and family. There were few people he could notwin over with his laugh, smile and charm. Bill was respected for his creative problem-solving and his ability to build, fix or break anything he put his hands to. He moved and talked quickly; he said that he had only so many words or steps allotted to him in life, and he had to use them. He encouraged others to be creative and improve themselves.

By age 47, his face stiffened, his hand trembled, and his gait faltered. Hand-held power tools and lathes were no longer safe instruments in his hands. Double vision ended his driving. For 28 years, he determinedly fought Parkinsons Disease through exercise, yoga, bicycling, medicine and good humor. While slow of speech, he never lost the inevitably humorous twinkle in his eye. His clever contributions to the conversation became more limited, but were reliably funny.

Bill is survived by Jane, his wife of 50 years; three children, Rebecca Sweet, Sarah (Eric) Knudsen, and Robert (Laura) Sweet; six grandchildren, brother-in-law Alfred (Janet) Spencer, a nephew, niece and grand niece. Cousins, hosted exchange students and their families, close friends, care-facility staff, doctors, and others. . .will remember him with a smile and a chuckle.