Nathanael is a Funeral Director and also serves as the Executive Vice President & Treasurer of The Billow Co. Prior to working in the funeral profession, Nathanael worked for Ford Motor Company as a Senior Financial Analyst at Ford's Global Product Development Center in Dearborn, MI. He, along with his sister Stacy, are sixth-generation members of the family to serve at Billow's and Bissler's. Growing up in the family business helped shape his personal belief that working as a funeral director is not only a career but a life-dedicating vocation.
In 2018, Nathanael successfully led the merger of his family's 148 year-old business, The Billow Co. of Akron, with Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. With the retirement of Mr. Rick Bissler, the move ensured that the community of Kent would continue to receive local family-owned care when faced with the loss of a loved one.
He is a graduate of Tallmadge High School, Grove City College (B.S. Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, '11) and the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University (Master of Business Administration, '13). Nathanael is a parishioner at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Kent and his Catholic faith taught him to embrace the philosophy of service above self. He generously gives of his time, talent, and treasure in service to Akron and since returning home in 2017, has been appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for many notable organizations, including the Akron Better Business Bureau, where he serves as Treasurer, the Rotary Club of Akron, where he serves as Vice-President and Chair of the Rotary International Foundation, Bluecoats Inc., of Summit County, where he serves as Treasurer, the Akron Roundtable, where he serves as Chair of the Development Committee, and the Pediatric Palliative Care Center at Akron Children's Hospital, where he holds the office of Vice-Chair and Treasurer. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. In 2019, he was recognized by the Greater Akron Chamber and awarded their prestigious 30 For The Future Award, given to individuals who are trendsetters in their industry and who make an impact on the region through dynamic leadership and community service.
When time permits, he can be spotted on local golf courses with his brother Chris or out running the trails of Akron's Metro Parks.
The Akron Community Foundation modified their On The Table event to give the opportunity for people to learn about people and issues in our community. Everyone who completes the challenge by the end of February will be entered to win the opportunity to grant $2500 to your favorite charity. Here is a link to the website where you can register and begin:
The Club recognized Nathanael (Thane) Billow for his unselfish contributions to The Rotary Foundation by awarding him the Paul Harris +4 pin at their February 14, 2023 meeting.
The pin was presented to Thane from The Rotary Foundation Co-Chair, Bill Manby Jr.
Thane also had a special guest at our meeting - Anthony Johnson who is a first year business student at The University of Akron.
Photo L-R: Thane Billows, Anthony Johnson, Bill Manby, Jr.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to to show appreciation for contributions that support our Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant.
Many other notable figures have been named Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk.
PAUL HARRIS SOCIETY
The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who elect to contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or approved global grants.
The purpose of the Paul Harris Society is to honor and thank individuals for their generous, ongoing support of The Rotary Foundation.
We have adjusted our Akron Canton Food Bank service project to the fourth Wednesday every other month.
So I am looking for volunteers forWednesday, February 22 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm at the Akron location which is located at 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307. After the food bank service project anyone is welcome to join me in going out to dinner at a downtown Akron restaurant to be determined later.
The service project involves breaking down large containers of food into smaller portions for redistribution to area food pantries. The two hours flies by as we all have fun with the project and we get the opportunity to meet a few new people from other organizations/companies that are there volunteering as well.
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOLUNTEERED BEFORE AT THE FOOD BANK THEN I NEED YOU TO REGISTER. See volunteer application link below.
If you have any questions please call or text me at 330-714-1044.
I need a head count by noon Friday February 17, so if you would please let me know by then if you plan on attending by sending me an email or text: dhall@preferredlegacy.com or 330-714-1044. I greatly appreciate it!
The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank’s Main Campus is located at 350 Opportunity Parkway, Akron, OH 44307, at the corner of Dart Avenue and Opportunity Parkway off of OH-59 near Downtown Akron. Get Directions.
When you arrive, please park in the front of the building or in the Dart Avenue parking lot. Use the front glass doors to enter the building.
If the parking lot is full, please park in the grass lot or proceed to the Shipping and Receiving parking lot on the other side of the building.
If entering through Shipping and Receiving, enter through the RED visitor door and proceed to the front desk.
We also recommend carpooling when possible.
What to wear:
Face Masks are optional.
Safety is our priority! Please note that open-toed shoes are not permitted in the warehouse.Jewelry is not permitted in the clean- room and we recommend wearing limited jewelry when volunteering.
Comfortable shoes are recommended as you may be on your feet the entire time.
It is best to dress in layers. The weather outside may affect the temperature inside the warehouse.
Thank you for volunteering at your Foodbank! We look forward to welcoming you.
The Rotary Club of Akron has a longstanding commitment to the greater Akron community. Rotary is dedicated to causes that build relationships, improve lives, and create a better world—locally and globally.
The 2022-23 Grant Cycle is officially open and IT’S BEEN EXPANDED! Grants between $1,000 and $15,000 will be considered via an application process which ends March 14, 2023. Projects must have an Akron Rotarian “sponsor” and must include direct volunteer service opportunities for Akron Rotarians. Akron Rotary doesn’t just write checks, we’re action oriented and live by the motto, “Service Above Self.”
For decades Akron Rotarians have been involved in community service activities and awards funding through its Akron Rotary Foundation and through a matching grant made possible through Rotary International and Rotary District 6630.
ROTARIANS: Spread the word to impactful community service providers! Encourage them to apply by March 14, 2023 via the application. If you have questions, email Sandy_Naragon@yahoo.com.
The final tally is in, and we were extremely happy to announce that Akron Rotary’s 33rd annual Chili Open Golf Classic presented by Wayne Homes has raised a total of $366,882! We are incredible grateful to everyone that supported the event and helped make it a monumental success for both the Rotary Club and the Rotary Camp.
Click here to watch the short video that captured some great moments at the Chili Open!
72% of the dollars raised came from Sponsorships and Camperships. We are thankful to everyone who helped us in securing Sponsors, or where a sponsor. Representatives were in attendance from the following Community and Corporate Sponsors:
Wayne Homes – Maurie Jones, Todd Brown, Emily Hayden, Morgan Wagner & Steve Wessel
The VanDevere Bunch – Brian VanDevere, Joe VanDevere & Katie Bender
Billow Funeral Homes – Nathanael Billow
Energy Harbor – Ben Kelly, Gino Mascio, Alin Baciu and Chance Oroverbs
S.A. Comunale – J.R. Fowler
Summit DD – Drew Williams
Wealth Impact Advisors – Jim Redmond
Congratulations to Bob Beiswenger, recipient of the 2023 Jim Redmond Ambassador of Service Award. This award was established in 1991 in recognition of community leaders who have gone above and beyond in support of the Rotary Club of Akron, Akron Rotary Camp and the Akron Community. We are grateful to Bob for all he does year after year to help us get ready for the Chili Open. He also continues to support Rotary Camp, Camp Y-Noah, the Akron Area YMCA and the Akron Community. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition as the 2023 Chili Open Ambassador of Service!
We also want to acknowledge our key in-kind Sponsors.
Hale Farm and Village for being the perfect host site for the Chili Open;
Rubber City Radio Group – WAKR, WONE, WQMX & Alternative Cleveland for all our on-air commercials and on-air interviews; and
Whitey’s, as the official Chili of the Chili Open.
Special thanks to all our Rotarians, sponsors and friends of Rotary who sold, purchased and promoted raffle tickets. Everyone rallied in helping us raise a total of $51,620 in raffle ticket sales.
Thanks again to The VanDevere Bunch for donating the 2023 Buick Encore GX through their Thrive and Drive Program. This was our 11th year participating with them in the Car Raffle.
Congratulations to the lucky raffle ticket winners:
1st Prize: Pat Larson (Tallmadge Rotarian) won the 22023 Buick Encore GX
2nd Prize: Jim Durr (Akron Rotarian) – BigShots Golf Package
3rd Prize: John Murphy – 55” 4k Smart LED TV
Snowmania – Troy Lowe
Make sure to redeem your $10 off Oil Change voucher at any of the VanDevere Chevy, Buick or Kia locations, and your $15 coupon off the purchase of two entrees at Lala’s in the Lakes, located at 4315 Manchester Road, Akron.
We had the privilege of hearing from a Rotary Camp Parent, April Sharp. Their son, Chace, is currently a camper at Rotary Camp, and has been attending Rotary Camp since 2019. Although Chace is non-verbal, he communicates with the staff and cabin mates through a communication device. He loves to come attend camp, see his friends and have fun. The Sharp family is incredibly grateful for the respite they receive while Chace is at camp.
The Chili Open is ourRotary Club’s primary fundraiser in supporting the operational needs of Akron Rotary Camp. The success of this event is due in large part to the commitment of our Rotary Club and our Corporate Community. We appreciate everyone’s efforts and support in making our 33rd annual Chili Open a continued success to benefit our campers and their families served by the camp.
Save the Date for the 34th Akron Rotary Chili Open Golf Classic on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Hale Farm and Village.
Text PLXPolarBear14 to 71777 to Register or Donate and select Akron Rotary Camp
$50 minimum donation to jump, or Raise $500+ and become a VIPB (Very Important Polar Bear)
Your donation will allow us to continue to offer assistance to families in need. Campers are never turned away for their inability to pay. In 2022 we provided over $105,000 in financial assistance.
Online registration closes Tuesday, February 21.
In-person regsitration, live DJ, food and beverages will be available the day of the event. Jump starting at 2PM!
We had the privilege of hearing from a Rotary Camp Parent, April Sharp. Their son, Chace, is currently a camper at Rotary Camp, and has been attending Rotary Camp since 2019. Although Chace is non-verbal, he communicates with the staff and cabin mates through a communication device. He loves to come attend camp, see his friends and have fun. The Sharp family is incredibly grateful for the respite they receive while Chace is at camp. 
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