Wilmer “Bill” J. Bottorff, 96, died of natural causes at 6255 Portage Ave., Portage, Indiana, on Tuesday, November 14, 2006. He was raised in the Marshall Co. area, moved to Portage during W.W. II and returned to Plymouth for most of his life, moving back to Portage in his last years.
Born in Park River, North Dakota, Bill was the son of James and Lula Higby Bottorff.
He attended Plymouth schools.
Bill served in the United States Army during W.W. II from May 19, 1943 until his separation in December of 1945. Bill and Edna Kreischer met on a Halloween blind date in 1930. They married the following July 25th in Plymouth and remained sweethearts for over 73 years up until her death on January 19, 2005.
Bill was a tool grinder for U.S. Steel for 35 years.
He and Edna both enjoyed fishing and were active members of Plymouth’s First Baptist Church.
Bill is survived by their sons and daughters-in-law, James C. and Susan Bottorff, Portage and Robert J. Sr. and Patricia Bottorff of Florida.
Four grandchildren also survive. They are: Robert J. Bottorff, Jr., Bryan Bottorff, Stephanie Bottorff and Aimee Bottorff.
Bill is survived by one sister, Margaret Moon, Roanoke, Indiana
One sisters-in-law, Clara and her husband Norman Floyd, Knox, Indiana, survive as well with numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, five brothers, five sisters. They are; Helen, Sarah and Mildred Bottorff, Ruth Napierowski, Mary Ellen Hines, Harold, Arthur”Bud,” James Jr., Donald, and Richard Mullen.
Friends will be welcomed to celebrate Bill’s life with his family from 4:00 to 8:00 E.S.T. pm on Friday, November 17, 2006, at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1110 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, and for one hour prior to services in the church on Saturday.
Funeral services for Bill will be performed by the Rev. Lonnie Nicholl, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Highway 17, next to Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center at 11:00 am E.S.T. on Saturday, November 18, 2006.
Burial will be in Union Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Bill’s memory may be made to the church.
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