Willard Grizzell Middle School gets its name from a local teacher.
Willard Grizzell was born in New Boston, Ohio in 1921. He served his country in 1942, and upon his retirement settled in central Ohio and attended The Ohio State University. He became a science and math teacher in Dublin in 1957. While in Dublin, he held the positions of football coach, high school counselor, and principal of Dublin High School (Coffman). In 1961 he was named superintendent of Dublin Schools and served in that position for 17 years.
Willard Grizzell had a reputation of a “do-it-your-selfer.” Because of this, was never found in his office. He would be in the classroom or in the boiler room doing whatever it took to get the job done. His sound financial guidance and assurance of a quality teacher in every classroom can be seen in Dublin schools today
Willard Grizzell retired in 1981 and is regarded as the “father of today’s Dublin City Schools.”