William Stout

William A. “Bill” Stout, 92, of Circleville passed away September 13, 2025 at home surrounded by family. Bill was born on August 5, 1933 in Circleville, Ohio to John Boyd Stout and Luella Marie (Stanley) Stout. He is survived by his children John (Cheryl) Stout, Daniel (Jane) Stout and David (Regina) Stout; grandchildren Emily (Josh) Brown, Elizabeth (Tyler) Puckett, Miranda (Don) Liebner, Jesse (Emily) Stout, Mary, Ella, Barbara and Thomas Stout; great-grandchildren Noah, Eliza and Addelynn Stout; Jean Droste, his partner since 1993 and adopted children Ed and Jill McFarland. He is preceded in death by his brother John “Homer” (Jean) Stout of Williamsburg, VA and grandson Jack Stout of East Lansing, MI.

Bill attended Washington Township grade school where he was a member of the Juvenile Grange, and the Washington Hill Climbers 4-H Club. He graduated from Circleville High School in 1951 lettering in football, basketball and baseball; was president of the Stooge Club and member of the Hi-Y club. In 1956 he graduated from the Ohio State University with a BS degree in agriculture and a minor in criminology. He was the president of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, basketball manager and a member of Varsity O. With season football and basketball tickets for over 65 years he never missed an opportunity for a good tailgate.

He served in the US Army for 10 years stationed at Fort Hayes, Columbus during college and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. In 1955 he started working in construction with his father. He was president of the Building Industry Association of South Central Ohio, president of the Ohio Homebuilders Association and senior life member of the National Association of Homebuilders while serving on the board of Directors. Through his time running the business he was able to restore several historic homes and historic buildings in the downtown area to include Lindsey’s Bakery store front.

He was very active in the community serving as president of the Circleville Jaycees, vice-president of the Ohio Jaycees and he received the Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. For 36 years he was on the Democrat Central Committee, chairman of the Democrat Executive Committee for 16 years and chairman of the Pickaway County Board of Elections for 12 years. After serving on the original John Glenn for Senator committee he remained close friends with the John Glenn family. Bill was an original member of the Tecumseh Outdoor Drama in Chillicothe. He was chairman of the Pickaway County Airport Authority for 6 years, board member of the Scioto Society, on the WOSU Friends Board for 6 years and a member of the Elks Club for 60 years. Rotary played a major role in his life with his presidency of the Circleville Rotary Club, Rotary International District Governor for district 6690 and district 6690 Foundation chairman. As a member of the Community United Methodist Church, he became a trustee and member of the Methodist district building and location committee. He was on the Berger Hospital Board of Governors for 18 years. He served as the president of the Circleville area Chamber of Commerce, president of the Pickaway County Tourist Bureau and on the Pumpkin Show Parade Committee for over 25 years. While serving on the Parade Committee he made sure the Little Miss Parade went off without a hitch. He announced Circleville football games for 27 years and was a life member of the Pickaway County Historical Society where he chaired home tours for 3 years. He served as an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff for over 60 years. In 1958 he joined the 9am coffee club that met daily with Jack McGuire and continues to meet today. Their daily meetings closed 9 restaurants.

He developed the residential subdivisions of Knollwood Village, Lincoln Drive, Garden City and Valhalla. He built over 300 homes and apartments in Circleville. He also built many commercial buildings including 6 banks and the YMCA. He was president of the JB Stout Construction Company, Knollwood Development Company, general partner of Valhalla Enterprises, owner of Bill Stout Realty and partner in the Stout Investment Company. The Stout Cemetery was restored in Washington Township by several members of the Stout family in 2013. Bill was proudest of the fact that during the nearly 80 years of business neither he nor his dad missed a payroll.

He made generous use of his home on Court Street for fundraisers, parties, weddings, meeting and receptions. Bill supported many causes throughout his life. He was proud of his 57 years of perfect attendance at Rotary. He enjoyed traveling to over 64 countries and had friends all over the world.

On Saturday, October 4, 2025 the family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church. Service will be held after visitation, followed by a celebration of life at his home at 225 South Court Street, Circleville. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the JB Stout Scholarship fund of Circleville Rotary Club P.O. Box 505, Circleville, Ohio (notate on check “JBS Scholarships”), the Community United Methodist Church at 120 North Pickaway St. Circleville, Ohio 43113 or to any charity of your choosing. Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.