William B. "Bill" Hutchins

He was born Feb. 13, 1925, in Scott Township, Steuben County, to Nelson Bruce & Leila F. (Hoot) Hutchins; they preceded him in death. Nelson Hutchins, died in 1966. Leila Hutchins died in 1983. He married Audrey M. (Barringer) on Dec. 10, 1943; she preceded him in death on Oct. 4, 2008.

He worked for the pants factory in Coldwater after high school. Later, after serving in the United States Army, he returned home and worked for the McNaughton farm machinery business in Fremont in the parts department. Later, he held his own milk delivery business and had a gas station in Kinderhook, Mich., and Angola. He retired in 1988 after working for Gay’s Supermarket after 25 years.

Mr. Hutchins lived most of his life in the Fremont area, and attended Fremont Schools. He was a World War II Army veteran, serving in the military police, was stationed in Washington D.C., and also served the military police in New York.

He was a member of the Fremont American Legion Cassel Post 257, and served as the finance officer for the post for many years. He was a member of the Fremont Moose Lodge.

He enjoyed watching sports and following the Detroit Tigers, playing cards, taking trips to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, being outdoors, cookouts and family picnics and family gatherings.

Surviving are two daughters, Diana and Ronald Meek of Fremont and Susan Bidelman of Fremont; two sons: Roger Hutchins of Fremont and Randy Hutchins of Fremont; five grandchildren: Tammy Minster, Peggy Draper, Donald “Zeke” Robinson, Shane Hutchins and Emily Bidelman; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

With his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Eleanor Abbott and Janet McKinley, and one brother, Robert Hutchins.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012, at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jon Bruney officiating and military committal services conducted by members of the Fremont American Legion Post.

Burial will be at Fremont Cemetery, Fremont, at a later date.

Memorials are to Fremont American Legion Cassel Post 257, P.O. Box 610, Fremont, IN 46737.