The Niles Times
A Niles native has left several donations to local organizations and groups that were important parts of his life..
William D. Bauman, who died this summer, recently left money to Niles McKinley High School, the Niles United Methodist Church, Trumbull New Theater, the McKinley Memorial Library Association, and the Niles Historical Society.
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Richard Bullock of Niles, a retired Niles teacher, historical society member and member of the Methodist church, said he and his brother, Bill Bullock, a classmate of Bauman spoke to him months before he passed away.
The Bullock family were neighbors and knew Bauman growing up with their homes near each other.
He said each organization and recipient has been notified of the donation.
The high school plans to use their donation the Wiilliam D. Bauman Scholarship Find with the initial endowment $175,000.
Bauman, although raised in Niles, spent most of his adult life in the Cleveland area. Bauman was born June 13, 1929 in Youngstown, a son of Jay and Lena Bauman, and had two sisters, Marian and Lois, with the family living at 523 Lincoln Ave.
When he was age 4 on Oct. 28, 1933 with the big celebration in Niles with the opening of the new viaduct. A dinner was held that day at the McKinley Memorial with a procession tot he bridge. Bauman was chosen as Uncle Sam and Delores Van Ambergh played Miss America, with the two children representing Niles. They led the parade where Governor George White officiated at the dedication ceremony.
The Bauman family later moved to Second Street in the southside of Niles. Bauman attended Garfield School and Niles McKinley High School.
Bauman graduated in June 1947. In high school, he was involved in band and also a member of the Warren Junior Military Band. He attended the First United Methodist Church.
Bullock said Baumans classmates considered him a reserved person who always gave his best to the tasks at hand.
After graduation, Bauman went to work at Republic Steel in Warren in the accounting and purchasing department. In 1950, he worked as an order clerk with Ohio Lamp supervising the manufacturing of all special orders produced by the plant. In 1969, Bauman went to General Electric headquarters in Cleveland as a quality auditor. He retired in 1988 after more than 30 years.
Bullock said Bauman would often travel through his employment with General Electric and would visit his former classmates. He also would often visit Niles attending church and visiting with old neighborhood and his friends.
Bauman was a 32nd degree Mason, member of Mahoning Lodge No. 394 F&AM, and Ida McKinley Chapter No. 229 Order of the Eastern Star, First United Methodist Church, Niles Historical Society and Cleveland Playhouse.
Bullock said his many interests were remembered in his will.
"Each entity should realize some benefits from his substantial gifts," he said.
"He enjoyed people and loved to visit with friends. As his final gift he wanted to give back to his hometown, which provided him with many happy times in his life. He did this in a quiet way not telling of his bequests until they were revealed upon his passing, "Bullock said adding that his many friends believe his generosity should be recognized.
Bullock said the historical society is planning to honor Bauman,
Bullock said Bauman "appreciated his home town and the opportunities and experiences it afforded him."