CHURUBUSCO - Willard S. "Bill" Hankins, 89, of Huntertown, passed away at 9:15 a.m. Sept. 6, 2010, in the Kingston Care Center, Fort Wayne, following an extended illness.
He was born March 22, 1921, in Warsaw, to Marvin C. and Marie Webber Hankins. On May 4, 1946, in Mishawaka, he married Isabel J. Tibbitts, who survives.
As a young man he served in the U. S. Army during World War II in Normandy, Northern France and central Europe.
He lived in Huntertown for more than 50 years. He was a conductor for the Penn Central Railroad for 42 years before his retirement.
He was a member of Huntertown United Methodist Church; Huntertown Lodge 689 F&AM; Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen; and the Warsaw American Legion Post.
Also surviving are a son, William E. (and spouse Patricia) Hankins, Sarasota, Fla; a brother, Norman Eugene (and spouse Martha) Hankins, Warsaw; and a sister, Edna Marie (and spouse Ted) Snyder, Marion. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Susan J. Hankins, who died Aug. 2, 1980; and two sisters, Elva Louise Evans and Clara Mae Michael.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Huntertown United Methodist Church, 16021 Lima Road, with Pastor Greg Hiatt officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be at 2 p.m. Thursday in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Sheets & Childs Funeral Home, Churubusco, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the church. There will be a memorial service by members of Huntertown Lodge 689 F&AM at 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
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Memorials may be given to Huntertown United Methodist Church, 16021 Lima Road, Huntertown, IN 46748; National Parkinson Foundation, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018; or Parkivew Home Health & Hospice, 2270 Lake Ave., Suite 200, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.
Condolence may be sent via www.sheetsandchilds.net
