Born March 28 1952, in Portsmouth, Ohio, a son of the late Rev. David E. Conkel and Phoebe M. Seibert Conkel, he was a laborer and factory lift operator.

He was a graduate of Minford High School in the class of 1970, and was of the Baptist faith.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Coleman Conkel, whom he married in 1970; one son, William David Conkel Jr. of Portsmouth; one daughter, Kathy Jo Grant of Portsmouth; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Ray (Mary) Conkel of Bucyrus and Clarence (Sandy) Conkel of Portsmouth; two sisters, Roseanna (Charles) Carter of Bucyrus and Clara Rule of Virginia; many friends, nieces, nephews, and his loving dog, Buddy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Roy Conkel.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at Erwin-Dodson-Allen Funeral Home in Minford, with youth pastor Zack Conkel officiating. Burial will be in Harrison Furnace Cemetery near Minford.

Friends may call at the funeral home home from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and one hour before the service on Tuesday.