William B. Maurice

William B. Maurice, 84, of Warren, died Wednesday, June 27, 2007. He was born May 31, 1923 in La Rue, Ohio, the son of Estell and Beulah (Stone) Maurice.

Mr. Maurice earned a bachelor's degree in education from Wittenberg University, graduating in 1947 as president of his class, and a master's degree in letters from the University of Pittsburgh. He had served in the U.S. Army in the 44th Division in France in 1944-45, and was awarded a Purple Heart.

He was alumni director for Wittenberg University and a buyer for the Higbee Company before accepting a position with Warren City Schools as coordinator of distributive education. He also taught history and government at Warren G. Harding and Warren Western Reserve high schools before retiring in 1987 after 35 years of teaching.

Active in the community, he had been elected to Warren City Council and had been president of the Devon School PTA and the Trumbull County Retired Teachers Association. He had also been a board member of the Trumbull County Historical Society and vice chair of the Trumbull County Republican Party. Active in his church, he had served as President of Council at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where he had been a lay preacher and had sung in the choir. He was instrumental in starting the church's columbarium and the Red Hat Gang, the retired men who meet weekly to handle church maintenance. He had also sung in the annual Messiah choir for many years.

He and Mary had traveled in all 50 states as well as 70 different countries. They had hosted 49 high school exchange students and teachers from 26 countries and five continents.

Surviving are his wonderful wife of 60 years, Mary "Chris" (Huffman) Maurice, whom he married August 16, 1946; four children: Jean P. Maurice of Warren, Martin W. Maurice of Warren, John A. Maurice of Canton, and David J. (Grace Shaiu) Maurice of Warren; five grandchildren: Marcus Maurice of Taipei, Taiwan, Joshua Maurice of Denton, Texas, Andrea Maurice of the Canary Islands, Isaac Maurice and Georgia Maurice, both of Warren; and two great-grandchildren: Elias Maurice and Nyx Maurice. Preceding him in death are his parents; a sister, Mary Greenawalt, and a brother, Jim Maurice.

A celebration of his life will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, with Rev. Steven Ritter and Rev. John Zimmann officiating. Inurnment in the church's columbarium will follow the service. Friends may call 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the church and join the family for a light meal after the service. In lieu of flowers, material contributions may be made in his name to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 2860 E. Market St., Warren, Ohio 44483.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary, send condolences, or view the video tribute.