By Rebecca Goodman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FOREST PARK - William Love Jr. was a humble and soft-spoken man who brought joy to the members of his church and his community with his lovely tenor voice.

Mr. Love sang at community functions and before baseball games in Forest Park. And even while battling cancer, he led the congregation of New Celebration Baptist Church in song, according to his sister, Betty Gentry of Wyoming, who sometimes went to the church to hear her brother sing.

"He always had a smile - even through the end of his illness," his sister said.

Mr. Love, 65, died at his Forest Park home Jan. 25. He was a member of the Forest Park Parks and Recreation Commission and active with the youth baseball program.

A 1954 graduate of Wyoming High School, Mr. Love also served six years with the U.S. Navy - four in active service and two in the reserves.

He was manager of environmental services at University Hospital for 32 years and worked in a similar capacity part time for the University of Cincinnati after his retirement.

UC presented him with the President's Quality Service Interactive Award and the UMCA Black Achievement Award.

In addition to his sister, survivors include his wife, Wilma Love; his mother, Clara D. Rolsin of Louisville; two sons, Jayson Love of Forest Park and Derek Love of Fairfield; three daughters, Robin Love of North Avondale, Cathy Love of Fairmount and Evelyn Love of Covington; two sisters, Rose Wolfork of Louisville and Maybelle Epps of Newport News, Va.; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was at Spring Grove Cemetery.

E-mail rgoodman@enquirer.com