Wilbur Lauzau Obituary

Wilbur "Bill" Lauzau

Wilbur (Bill) Richard Lauzau, 96, was born in Niagara Falls, New York, to Wilbur Francis and Winifred May Lauzau. He was the oldest of seven children. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ron Lauzau and sisters, Joan McCarthy, Dorothy Ackerson and Nancy Nelson.

He is survived by a brother, John Lauzau (Maryland) a sister, Mary Vescio (Grand Island, New York); and in-laws, Herb Nelson (Niagara Falls) and Marie Lauzau (Haw River, North Carolina)

Bill grew up during the Depression era, and during his childhood, his grandparents moved to the country, where they bought a small farm to raise vegetables and chickens. Bill would ride 20 miles on his motorized bike out to the farm, where he would often hunt small game. Spending this time on the farm led to his love for gardening, hunting, and beekeeping.

Bill's other passion when he was young was chemistry, and his father would tell stories about how he had no idea what kind of chemistry experiments young Bill was doing in the basement of their Whitney Ave. home, but he was always grateful that nothing exploded! Bill took his childhood passion for chemistry and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Niagara University, followed by a master's degree in chemistry from Purdue. Afterward, he worked for Union Carbide in Niagara Falls as a chemist. Carbide later transferred him to Fostoria, where he met his future wife, Patricia, and then later to the Parma Tech Center. He worked for Union Carbide for over 30 years.

Bill married the love of his life, Patricia (Pat) Ann Karcher from Fostoria, Ohio, May 1, 1954, at St. Wendelin Church, with a reception at the YWCA in Fostoria. They were married for 65 years before Pat preceded Bill in death in 2019.

The couple has three sons, Richard (Dante Parete), David (Kim) and Paul(Ann- deceased). The family lived in Fostoria until 1965 when Bill was transferred to the Cleveland area. The couple bought a home in Strongsville, Ohio, where they lived for over 50 years. Their home had a beautiful in-ground pool, and Pat and Bill hosted many family reunions/pool parties for both the Karcher and Lauzau families that will long be remembered.

When it was time for Bill and Pat's boys to go off to college, to earn extra money, Bill started a business preparing tax returns for individuals. The practice grew, and Bill went on to become a CPA. When Bill took an early retirement package from Union Carbide, he continued the tax practice for another 20 years with Pat acting as his administrative assistant.

Bill and Pat loved to travel the world and often took wonderful trips with their siblings.

Bill is survived by six grandchildren, Jimmy (Lauren), Michael (Jackie), Alyssa Haines (Ryan), Kevin (Carmina), Col Lauzau (Alex Bell), and Max (Kayley) and great-grandchildren, Abigail, Zachary, Hannah, Noah, Caleb, Brandon, Madelyn, and Claire.

Visitation is 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, October 10, 2025, and from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025, at HOENING & SON FUNERAL HOME, 133 W. Tiffin St., Fostoria, Ohio 44830. There will be a Vigil at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Wendelin Catholic Church in Fostoria. Burial will follow at St. Wendelin Catholic Cemetery, where military honors will be provided by Fostoria United Veterans Honor Guard. A funeral luncheon will follow in the parish hall.

Online expressions of sympathy and shared memories may be made by visiting www.hoeningfuneralhome.com