William E. Gabriel

REDDING, Calif. — William “Bill or Gabe” Gabriel, 86, took his final breath on the morning of March 2, 2022.

Bill was born and raised in Leetonia, Ohio, and was a 1956 graduate of Leetonia High School. He was the statistician for Leetonia Football for a period of 28 years and was inducted into Leetonia High School’s Hall of Fame in 2008.

Gabe worked as a Mahoning County and 911 dispatcher for 20 years and retired in 2001.

Bill loved fishing, photography, and sports. He often volunteered with handicap clubs and booster clubs. He enjoyed and was proud to attend his family’s sporting events, band and choir concerts, and dance recitals. He was an avid Browns, Indians, and Buckeye fan. He shared his love and loyalty to sports will everyone he met. One of his favorite memories was getting to watch three Indians games against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Bill moved to California in October of 2008, after the passing of his beloved wife, Beverly, whom he married on September 23, 1972.

He is survived by his daughters, Mary K. (Steve) Porter of Redding, Calif., and Jackie (Jason) Fraser of Fostoria, Ohio. He leaves behind six granddaughters, Emily (David) Huffman, Ashley Porter, Sophia, Maerinn, Beverly, and Kaylee Fraser, and one grandson Steven Porter, a brother Jerry (Anna Marie) Gabriel, and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces, great-nephews.

Despite being born with Cerebral Palsy, he never backed down in the face of adversity. He always encouraged others to never give up and would always say “If I can do it, so can you!”

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 3, 2022, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Wick Park (adjacent to the Leetonia Library) in Leetonia, Ohio. To honor him, wear your favorite sports team, bring a chair, and share your favorite memories of this amazing man.

6/4/22