William Samuel Hilditch, 69, passed away Friday July 19, 2024.

Bill was born October 20, 1954, in East Liverpool, the eldest of four children.

Bill was born with a developmental disability and a subsequent behavior disfunction. Bill's parents were not able to care for Bill and his siblings. Bill was placed in a state institution. An APSI representative, has been Bill's guardian since 1985, and currently is Kayla Clark.

Bill became a longtime resident of Threshold Residential Services, calling Threshold home from October 14, 1985, until January 2023 when his failing health determined his move.

April 1, 1989, Bill represented the State of Ohio in the 1989 Winter Special Olympics Games at Reno-Thoe, USA. When asked "how did he do it?" The reply was, "It's simple, Bill Hilditch is "special". His unparalleled determination has taken him from institutions to a group home. Soon it will take him to the top of the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains. You see, for the past two years, he has gone on to become an avid cross-country skier, an athlete that prides himself on the ability to "stay on his feet".

Bill had a sense of humor and enjoyed working at EDI, watching game shows, Cleveland Browns, sitting on the porch feeding squirrels, listening to old country music and sharing his home with housemate Lundy Cook.

Bill blossomed at Threshold finding a home, security, love and friendships. He was loved and will be missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Shirley Louise Shields Hilditch Cline in 2015 and his father, Samuel Hilditch, Jr. in 1996.

A calling hour will be held 11:00-12:00 Tuesday July 23, 2024, at the Linsley-Royal Funeral Home in East Palestine. He will be laid to rest privately at Calcutta United Presbyterian Cemetery.