William Wyatt Mitchell

William Wyatt Mitchell was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. William always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, William was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

William was born on May 21, 1953 at Park View Hospital in Plymouth, Indiana. His parents were Stuart and Bonnie Mitchell. William was raised in South Elmwood Street in Oak Park, Illinois. Always able to express himself well, William possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, William was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

As a young child, William showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. William enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He was a Cub Scout. In his spare time he collected comic books, played the accordion, coronet, and played the bass (guitar). William's memorable achievements included winning first place in a trampoline competition.

Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, William was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School in 1971. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. The only thing Bill enjoyed in High School was checking the fruit flies in science class.

When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to William. Again, his direct, “down to earth” approach served him well. He was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. He attended Triton College. His favorite courses were science and medical science classes. William made the dean's list his freshman year.

William was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, William’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, William was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. William could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was a videographer and apartment manager. He was employed for Azusan Apartments and Bill Mitchell Video.

William enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were working 24-7 at apartments and editing his videos. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Because he liked to take risks, William was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. William was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were basketball (Lakers) and football (Colts).

William held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. Bill believed in life after death, in a "higher power," and he will meet his father.

William passed away on October 4, 2011 at his home in Azusa, California. He is survived by his mother, Bonnie. Services were held at Oakdale Memorial Park and Mortuary in Glendora, California and Bakers Funeral Home in Danville, Indiana. William was laid to rest in Danville South Cemetery in Danville, Indiana.

William was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If William had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember William Wyatt Mitchell.