William N. Scarff

William N. Scarff (Bill), 97, of New Carlisle, passed away at his home on August 6, 2025. He was born June 8, 1928, to Howard and Dorothy (Zwiker) Scarff. Bill was a graduate of Olive Branch High School and of The Ohio State University. After graduating from college, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, where he served with distinction and achieved the rank of sergeant. He remained a Marine in his heart and mind until he died. Bill married his wife, Jane Nelson, in 1956, and they raised their family, children Bill Jr., Peter, and Carrie, just 150 feet from his childhood home in the southern-style pillared home, White Oaks, built by his grandfather in 1902. He went on to be the fourth of five generations of the family to operate Scarff’s Nursery, which thrived in western Clark County with a national reputation for quality from 1881 to 2020. He lived his entire life on this family land.

As a nurseryman, Bill served in many capacities in the horticultural industry, including as president of the Ohio Nursery and Landscape Association, the American Association of Nurserymen, and the Wholesale Nursery Growers of America. He was also a member of the White House Grounds committee, responsible for developing and maintaining the horticulture at the White House. Through his tenure, he met and worked with first ladies from Pat Nixon to Laura Bush.

He was deeply devoted to his local community as well, serving in Clark County on the boards, many in the role of president, of Mercy Medical Center, Cornerstone Bank, Springfield Foundation, Combined Health District, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Springfield Museum of Art, St. John’s Foundation, and others. He contributed his horticultural knowledge to the Wegerzyn Gardens Foundation and the Cox Arboretum Foundation. He was a member of New Carlisle Sertoma and the Rotary Club of Springfield. Additionally, his service included more personal roles, including the Special Olympics, teaching children to play soccer through the Dream Soccer Association, as a Big Brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and teaching children and adults to read through The Literacy Center of Springfield. He was elected to the President’s Club of The Ohio State University and was inducted Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement of the Mad River Region. He attended the First United Methodist Church of New Carlisle his entire life and was a member of the church for 81 years.

Bill was also accomplished in his hobbies. As a fine woodworker, he built many of the furniture pieces in his house, including a standing desk and a grandfather clock. He was featured on the cover of Flying Chips, a national woodworking magazine. He played tennis and golf, winning many of Dayton’s annual tennis tournaments into his 40s. He remained active until recently, playing 18 holes of golf with his grandson in late March of this year. Growing up and living his entire life on the nursery, he loved nature and animals. As a child, he always had a dog and as well as horses, a pet fox, goat, and mourning doves. He spent most of his adult life with one of his eight German shepherds by his side.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Dorothy Scarff, his brother, James Scarff, his sister, Carolyn Winters, his wife, Jane Scarff, and his two sons, William Jr. and Peter Scarff. He is survived by his daughter, Carrie Scarff (Aimee), grandchildren P. Nelson Scarff (Megan), Henry Scarff (Kait), Anna Dutton (Thomas), Ryan Scarff, and Connor Scarff, and six great-grandchildren, Cooper, Emma, Martin, Colin, Barrett, and Rand.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Miami Valley Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Glioblastoma Foundation Inc., or Hospice of Dayton. A visitation will be held Saturday, August 16th, at New Carlisle First United Methodist Church, 220 S. Main St., New Carlisle, from 10 am to 11 am, with the service to honor Bill’s life to follow at 11 am. A private burial will take place at New Carlisle Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at trostelchapman.com.