William Herbert Kaatz

William Herbert Kaatz, 83, a lifelong resident of Elyria, died December 9, 2025.  He was born April 7, 1942 in Elyria.  He was a 1960 graduate of Elyria High School and attended Ohio University.  Bill was president of Plastic Enterprises of Elyria, a company that specializes in injection molded plastics and was active in the company for 40 years.  Prior to joining Plastic Enterprises, he enjoyed a distinguished career with Metropolitan Life Insurance where his sales skills were perfected. These same skills allowed Bill to contribute to the success of several other business enterprises including Creative Audio (a highly engineered product line of sound systems), Fluitron (a leading manufacturer of sump pumps), and Sportsman’s Collection (an art business that established national prominence for his younger brother, Lynn R. Kaatz).

Bill was highly committed to the Elyria Rotary Club serving as President in 1996-1997. He was recognized for his extraordinary involvement by receiving the Paul Harris Award.

He prided himself as a conservationist and outdoorsman as evidenced by significant involvement at Beaver Creek Hunt Club, Sandusky Yacht Club, Ducks Unlimited, Catawba Island Club, the Lorain County Metro Parks, and Put-n-Bay Yacht Club. Hunting, fishing, and boating were lifetime passions with special pride in owning and operating a Lyman boat for most of his adult life. Bill was also a highly accomplished photographer. His early learning was received by his late father, Herbert W. Kaatz, and through employment at Koplin’s Drug Store under the guidance of the late Harry Bemis. This led to a more than 20-year involvement with Elyria High School serving as the primary videographer/photographer for all football and basketball games. In his free time, Bill also obtained a pilot license which initially was pursued at Ohio University and then completed at Ortner’s Air Service in Wakeman, Ohio. Bill was an avid baseball fan, for his entire life. Many years were spent coaching a variety of Elyria Little League teams after which he followed the Cleveland Indians with considerable interest. He and his late wife, Linda (I), routinely spent spring training in Florida with the Tribe.

Bill was raised in Grace Lutheran Church of Elyria and later was a regular parishioner at Washington Avenue Christian Church.

Bill is survived by his wife, Carol (nee Edwards); sons, William H. Kaatz, Jr. and Wesley G. Kaatz (wife, Tracy) both of Elyria; brothers,  Lynn R. (wife, Linda L. (II)) Kaatz of St. Augustine, Florida and Donald W. (wife, Linda L. (III)) Kaatz of Rocky River, Ohio; stepdaughters,  Carol Ann Burnette (husband Steve) and Amy Burnette (husband Lynn); grandchildren and step grandchildren;  Cheyenne Davis, Reese Davis, Taylor Rose Michel, Dustin Lemon and Nathan Lemon and a great granddaughter: Lyla Lemon

He was preceded in death by his father, Herbert in 2001; mother, Mildred in 1992 and his first wife of 45 years, Linda L.(I) in 2009.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lake Ridge Academy, 37501 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville, Ohio 44039 or Toussaint River Watershed Conservancy, 28901 Clemens Rd. Suite 107, Westlake, Ohio 44145.

Burial will be in Brookdale Cemetery at a later date.

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