William Lyons Fisk

Dr. William “Bill” Lyons Fisk, 94, passed away on May 10, 2015 while in the care of the Primrose Retirement Community in Zanesville.

He was born in Newark, Ohio on February 24th, 1921 to the late William and June (Lyons) Fisk.   Bill graduated from Newark High School, received a Bachelor’s Degree from Muskingum College in 1941 and a Ph.D. in British History from Ohio State University in 1946.  He taught history at Muskingum from 1946 to 1987 and part time from 1987 to 1992.  He served as Dean and Vice-president of Muskingum College and also worked for the Examining Board of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.  In 1978 he was given the Distinguished Service Award of the Muskingum College Alumni Association, during the same years he also published several articles in scholarly journals in the fields of British history and American church history.  Most notable was his well-received book “A History of Muskingum College”

Bill had a strong allegiance to the church and for many years served as an elder in the College Drive Presbyterian Church.  In more recent years he was a member of the Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Columbus, OH, and the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Zanesville.

Outside of his education and the church, Bill enjoyed reading, writing, genealogy, painting, gardening and every moment he could spend outdoors at the family farm.  But more than anything else, Bill prized the love and unflagging support of this wife Beatrice.

Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beatrice Sprague Fisk, as well as their children; his daughter, Elizabeth (Robert) Bouyer of Natick, MA and his son John (Kimberly) Fisk of Zanesville.  He also leaves to cherish his memory his loving grandchildren, Emily Peabody, Christopher Peabody, Thomas Peabody, and Kahlea Bouyer as well as his step-grandchildren, Brittany (Matthew) Good and Zachory Ray.  He will also be remembered by his great-grandchild, Harper Good.

Friends and family may call from 4 to 8 pm at the Farus Funeral Home of New Concord on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Services and interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the College Drive Presbyterian Church, 2 W. High Street, New Concord, OH, 43762