William Joseph Bitter Sr.

William J. Bitter, Sr., 91, of Evansville, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019. He was born November 6, 1927 in Detroit, MI to the late Frank and Martha (Clark) Bitter. He was a member and 60 year deacon of Grace Baptist Church. William was a member of the United States Marine Corps during World War II, serving on Guam, and served as a Marine recruiter during the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post 265 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1114. William was a graduate of Memorial High School, attended the University of Louisville and Evansville College, and attended classes at Ohio State University and at Yale hardware schools. He began his career in the door and hardware industry in 1955 and became an AHC in 1963. He formed his own company, the William J. Bitter Company in 1968. After 16 years, he sold his company to Architectural Sales of Evansville. He remained with them until retiring in 2000. He received his Life Membership Award in D.H.I. on January 4, 2001. During his career, Bill served as President of the Kentucky-Indiana Builders Club and served a term as a Director of the National Builders Hardware Association. He was a member of the Northside Kiwanis Club, and past member of Northside Kiwanis Foundation Board of Directors, Evansville Smoke Commission during the McDonald administration and American Society of Architectural Hardware Consultants. William was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Bitter. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Wilma (Vanhooser) Bitter; children, Bill Bitter, Jr, and Lesli Werner of Henderson; grandson, Kyle Bitter of Owensboro, and brother, Tony Bitter of Evansville. The family would like to thank the staff at Braun’s Nursing Home and Hamilton Pointe, and a special thanks to brother and sister-in-law, Tony and Mary. A Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 18, 2019 at Alexander North Chapel, 4200 Stringtown Road, officiated by Rev. Ray Deeter, with burial in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends may visit 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, March 17, 2019 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.