First Defiance Financial Corp. announced that its chairman William J. Small will be retiring from the board of directors effective July 31, 2018. He has served as chairman since 1999 and served as president and CEO of the company and CEO of First Federal Bank from 1999 through 2013. John L. Bookmyer will succeed him as chairman. Mr. Bookmyer has been a member of the company since 2005 and currently serves as the lead independent director.