Recorder Dies on Eve of Election

RIPLEY – City Recorder and long-time civic leader William E. Casto died suddenly of an apparent heart attack at his Highlawn Drive home Monday morning.

His passing comes on the eve of his potential re-election to office as Ripley voters will be going to the polls today. He was completing his sixth year as Ripley City Recorder.

Casto, 74, was in Parkersburg on Saturday for his induction ceremony into the Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame. Valedictorian of the Class of 1950, he was also a standout athlete at Ripley High and played quarterback at Ohio University.

Mayor Ollie Harvey noted that word of his death has saddened the community. “We’re all in a state of shock about this,” she noted. “He had not been feeling well but told us just recently that he was getting better.”

Harvey says a temporary recorder will be appointed to complete Casto’s current term in office. There is another candidate for the office, Deena Marie Carney. Should Casto receive more votes, Harvey says a permanent recorder would then be appointed to complete the new four-year term that begins July 1.

Casto has served as recorder for the past six years and had a long history of community service. Among other community organizations, he served on the board of the Jackson County Commission on Aging and Main Street Ripley. He was a former president of the Board of Directors of Jackson General Hospital.

He retired from a 40-year career in the banking industry that included tenures as president of First National Bank and later United Bank as well as the Bank of Ripley and City National Bank. His career began with Farmer’s Building and Loan.

He and his wife of 55 years, Lois Staats Casto, had four children; Dr. Bill Casto, David Casto, Mary Casto Toler and Laura Casto Matheny. There are 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be on Wednesday at Calvary United Methodist Church from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the church with burial at Pine Hill Cemetery.

(The Jackson Herald, June 12, 2007—reprinted with permission)

OBITUARY:

William E. Casto

RIPLEY – William Eugene Casto, 74, of Ripley, passed away suddenly Monday, June 11, 2007, at his Highlawn Drive home.

He born September 5, 1932, a son of the late Holly and Frances Casto.

He retired from a 40-year career in the banking industry that included tenures as president of First National Bank and later United Bank as well as the Bank of Ripley and City National Bank.

He has served as Recorder for the City of Ripley for the past six years and was running for re-election. He was very active in community service and served on the Board of Directors for the Jackson County Commission on Aging and Main Street Ripley. He also served as former president of the Board of Directors for Jackson General Hospital. He was also inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame this past Saturday.

Survivors inlcude his wife of 55 years Lois Staats Casto; children Dr. William J.Casto and wife Shelia, David Casto and wife Debbie, Mary Toler and husband Nelson and Laura Matheny and husband Kevin; 11 grandchildren; five great grandchildren and brothers Jeems and wife Jeanne and Dick and wife Helen.

Services will be held Thursday, June 14, 2007, at 10 a.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, Ripley. Burial will follow at Pine Hill Cemetery, Ripley. Visitation will be held tomorrow, June 13, 2007, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the church.

Parsons-Waybright Funeral Home, Ripley, is in charge of the arrangements.