William W. Kozel Jr.

William W. Kozel Jr., 87, of Rotonda West, Florida, formerly of East Liverpool, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025 at HCA Fawcett Hospital in Pt. Charlotte, Florida, after a brief illness.

Born June 8, 1937 in Wheeling, W.Va., he was the son of the late William W. Kozel Sr. and Julia Kowal Kozel.

Bill was a graduate of East Liverpool High School and proud alumnus of The Ohio State University.

He was a retired prominent business owner of Kozel Custom Drapery & Decorating, Jul-Mar Cleaners & Restoration along with several laundromats. Prior to that he worked as a sales associate for WOHI Radio.

He was a longtime member of East Liverpool Country Club, Calcutta Lions, E. L. Business Association and E. L. Alumni Association. His passion was golf and he was a former Club Champion at ELCC. Bill loved talking golf and politics.

Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife Donna Briggs Kozel, whom he married in 1961 and passed away in 2022. Also preceding in death were two grandchildren, Hope Christine Whitehill and Hudson Richard Thompson; son-in-law, William “Tag” Lewis.

He is survived by two daughters, Julia Kozel and spouse George Hall of Rotonda West, Florida, and Marybeth Lewis of Lake Tomahawk, Ohio. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Ashley Morrow, Abby Atwood, Hunter Thompson, Brooke Whitehill, Grace Whitehill, Madeline Whitehill, and Matthew Whitehill; and six great-grandchildren.

In fulfilling the family’s wishes there will be no public visitation. A private family service was held at the Englewood Community Funeral Home in Englewood, Florida.

Family request that any memorial contributions be made to the East Liverpool Alumni Association.

4/7/25