William C. Reilly
January 6 1959 - September 20 2026
Visitation :
John Quint Treboni Funeral Home
Tuesday September 29th 2026 4-7 pm
1177 W. 5th Avenue
Columbus Ohio 43212
Services:
Celebration of Life
Tuesday September 29th 2026 at 7:00 pm
John Quint Treboni Funeral Home
1177 W. 5th Avenue
Columbus
, Ohio 43212
A Celebration of Life Service will start at 7 pm.
Share Service Information for William C. Reilly
Obituary
William C. Reilly, known to family and friends as Bill, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at the age of 67 following a tragic car accident. He was a beloved father, grandfather, husband, and friend whose loss has left his family heartbroken. Bill grew up in Upper Arlington and played football in high school. Early in his working life, he followed his father into the beer business and worked as a Budweiser distributor. He later built a career in the automotive industry, spending much of it in management. With a wife and five daughters to provide for, Bill worked hard and always showed up for his family. Bill loved fast cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed playing pool and, most of all, golf- which he was very good at. At his home in Plain City, he loved caring for his three acres. Mowing the lawn made him happy, and a ride on his Gator down by the creek gave him a little time to himself. Most of all, Bill loved being around people. He had a huge smile, made everyone he met feel special, and seemed to know "a guy" for just about anything anyone needed. He had a gift for connection, and his friendships meant a great deal to him. Bill shared forty-one years of marriage with his wife, Carolyn. After her passing in 2023, he missed her deeply and struggled to imagine what life was supposed to look like without her. He spoke of her often and took comfort in having her things around him, especially the beautiful quilts she made. His daughters take comfort in believing they are together again. Bill will be deeply missed by his five daughters, Laura (Aaron) Kanik, Abby Reilly, Elizabeth (Spencer Murphy) Reilly, Jennifer Reilly, and Meghan (Ryan) Howard; and his seven grandchildren, Zoey Stamm, Beck Reilly-Stavroff, Grace Kanik, Quinton Howard, Chase Adkins, Theo Howard, and Jesse Murphy. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn Sue Reilly. The family is grateful for the prayers, kindness, and support they have received as they mourn the dad and grandpa they loved so much. There will be a Visitation on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at the John Quint Treboni Funeral Home 1177 W. 5th Ave Columbus, Ohio 43212 from 4-7 pm. A Funeral Service will follow at 7 pm. He will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery 9571 N. High St. Lewis Center, Ohio 43035 next to his beloved wife.
Condolences for William C. Reilly
From : Brian Jordan
To : Jennifer
Date: September 22nd 2026
I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I worked with your father for years. He loved his children and wife so much!
He was funny and, a “great car guy!”
May he rest in peace and may God bless you and your sisters.
From : Jeff Parker
To : The family of beautiful girls
Date: September 22nd 2026
On a visit to Ohio in August of 1989, I met your Dad at Roby Chevrolet Olds and Geo. He convinced me to move to Ohio from North Carolina to work in the auto industry with him. He gave me my first job and my first demo, a 1988 blue Chevrolet Corsica. My first year away from home Bill invited me and my brother Andrew to your home for Thanksgiving. Your Mom was such a good cook and made us feel like family. I always credit Bill for the training and time he invested to make sure I succeeded in the profession. I grew and obtained more things than I could have imagined because he took interest in me. Over the years our friendship grew, we hunted and fished together, talked about our families and always stayed in touch.
During his career in the car business, there was no one better at negotiating winning people over. Bill negotiated everything, even our pizza lunches on Saturday. He was a master on the phone, to watch him work was educational and like seeing an artist at work.
I will never forget what Bill did for my career and I’m devastated to hear of his passing. He will be missed.
Jeff Parker
From : Steve Funk
To : His family
Date: September 22nd 2026
It is with a very heavy heart that I share the passing of our friend and coworker, Bill Reilly. Bill worked with us at Funkys Automotive for about a year, but it didn’t take long for him to become part of our family. He was truly a great guy, kind, hardworking, dependable, and someone you were always glad to see walk through the door. His sudden passing is heartbreaking, and it reminds us just how precious and fragile life can be. Bill, thank you for the time you spent with us, for your friendship, and for the person you were. You will be greatly missed by all of us at Funkys. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill’s family, friends, and everyone who loved him during this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace my friend. You will not be forgotten. 🙏❤️
Steve and the entire Funkys Automotive family.
From : Patrick Hernon
To : Bill Reilly Family
Date: September 23rd 2026
Rest in Peace, Bill
From : Laura Kanik
To : Dad
Date: September 23rd 2026
You were such a great dad, I miss calling you everyday. I cried today ordering a coffee, because usually I’m on the phone with you. This hurts. I miss you and I’m so sorry this happened to you.
From : STEVE FOWLER
To : William Reilly
Date: September 24th 2026
Bill was a skillful car guy and one of the funniest people I've known , able to spin original and hilarious phrases I'll remember forever. Godspeed , old Bill , we'll miss you.
From : Emmett VanScoy
To : Family
Date: September 24th 2026
Bill and I were friends for 45 years convinced me to buy my first Harley Davidson and it had to be a fat boy according to him we worked together took trips together play golf together and was extremely intelligent on many different subjects especially the car business always a smile on his face friendly as heck and proud to call him, my buddy rest in heaven Bill prayers and condolences to the family
From : Dan Longo
To : William Reilly Family
Date: September 24th 2026
I have had the pleasure of knowing Bill for many years while working at Huntington Bank. I believe my first experience with Bill was when he was working at Nissan North as Finance Mgr. Then, years later, at Roby Chevrolet, in the same capacity. He was always a joy to work with, whether on the finance side or later on the sales side at the Toy Barn. I recall Bill always being happy and wearing a Big Smile.
Prayers for the family!
From : Steve Serrano
To : Bills Family
Date: September 24th 2026
Bill was my first manager when I started in the car business 29 years ago, and I was fortunate to learn from someone truly exceptional. He was incredibly gifted, a great communicator. If you knew Bill you felt like you were his best friend, he had many great friends. Everyone seems to have a great Bill story, which speaks volumes about the impact he had on those around him. He was a big man with a big heart and a larger-than-life presence. I will truly miss him, I consider myself blessed to have known him. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people who meant the most to him, his beloved family. Rest in Peace, miss you Bill.
From : Rich Perrine
To : The Reilly Family
Date: September 25th 2026
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad, grandpa and much more.
I worked with Bill for many years; he was my first Finance Manager and then Sales Manager. He was a great teacher, and always ready to help make the sale happen. He was also a fun, genuine guy who could light up the room.
May he rest in peace and may God bless you all with comfort in the days ahead.
From : Meghan Howard
To : Friends and Family
Date: September 28th 2026
My dad was always cheering me on. He was so proud that I could play piano, and whenever friends or family came over, he’d ask me to play for them. Of course, I was a bit of a show-off, so I was always happy to.
As I got older, he never stopped being proud of me. Whenever something good happened at work, or I had any accomplishment to share, I’d call him on my way home and tell him all about it. I’m going to miss those calls so much.
I’m not ready to let him go. Reading everyone’s condolences and seeing how much he meant to his friends has meant so much to me. I love hearing about the amazing man they knew, too.
From : TERRY L CARPENTER
To : THE REILLY FAMILY
Date: September 29th 2026
IVE KNOWN BILL FOR 43 YEARS AS WE FIRST MET AS SALESMAN AT SPITZER DODGE. WE CLIMBED UP THE LATER ON DIFFERENT PATHS AND BILL EVENTUALLY BECAME MY MANAGER FOR OVER 10 YEARS. I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH OUR TIME TOGETHER FROM, GOLFING, TO RIDING OUR HARLEYS. HE WAS A SPECIAL CAR GUY THAT WORKED HARD, PLAYED HARD AND MOST IMPORTANTLY LOVED HIS FAMILY.
RIP MY FRIEND