Wilbur Bill M. Cutler

Wilbur M. "Bill" Cutler, 89, passed away Wednesday July 17, 2013 after several months of declining health. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 21, 1924, the only child of Elmer Young and DeEtte Caroline (Tarr) Cutler. He graduated from Austin High School in 1942 and immediately enlisted in the US Army, serving until the conclusion of World War II. He then went to work at Western Electric in Montgomery, Illinois, where he met his future wife, Janet. He was recalled to active duty with the US Air Force during Korea, and the couple wed August 8, 1952, while he was home on leave. Upon his release from active duty, the couple resided in Joliet, IL.

He later went to work as a computer operator for the US Army Information Systems Command, and was later promoted to the position of Computer Programmer. In 1973, his position was transferred to Rock Island Arsenal, and the family moved to the Quad City Area, where they resided until after his retirement in 1986. They then lived in Fruitland Park, Florida, until returning to Illinois in 2009.

He was an avid hobbyist, and enjoyed building model airplanes, painting soldier figures, and creating dioramas. His favorite was the Lockheed P-38 "Lightning". He also enjoyed reading and watching sports on TV, particularly baseball.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Janet (Smith) Cutler, his favorite uncle Sherb Tarr, and his war buddy, Jack Lonergan. He is survived by a daughter, Christine.