William Joseph Peeler

William Joseph Peeler had a long, productive, and happy life. He was born July 1, 1932 in Kokomo, Indiana. Interestingly, he was actually born at midnight, so his mother had the choice of June 30 or July1 for his birthday. She chose July 1. His parents had moved there just a year before, after his father had bought the Sinclair gas stations in the area. He fondly remembered going on service runs, taking care of storage tanks, and spending time riding around countryside with his dad. His family moved back to northern Indiana, near Clear Lake on the Indiana/Michigan border in 1942. After his father died in 1949 and he graduated from Fremont High School, Bill joined the Air Force, sending half of his pay back home to support his mom. He was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany where he worked for a four star general, preparing fitness reports and officer promotions.

When he returned to Indiana, he went to Butler University to study pharmacy. He got through the end of his second year. He realized that he didn't want to be a pharmacist. So after his exams, took his associates degree and left the college. He quit his job at Hooks Drugstore and went to the employment office. Meanwhile, a man named Bill Barry had a bet with his boss at American States Insurance. He bet that he could take anyone out of the unemployment line and make him a top notch claims adjuster. He chose Bill; the year was 1957. Bill worked for American States Insurance for 39 years, retiring as Senior Liability Specialist.

He held many roles, and won several accolades. He was captain of the Fremont, Indiana High School Basketball team. Man of the year for the Boys and Girls Club, won the Kiwanis Bowling Championship, proudly served in the Air Force as a Staff Sargent, and served as an elder and member of the Session of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church.

While he was at Butler, he met and fell in love with Natalie Ellen O'Dell. They married on April 14, 1957 at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. Together they had four children: DeAnne, Joseph, Margaret, and Thomas. They gave Bill and Natalie fifteen grandchildren: Nick, Alice, Mary, Chris, Sarah, Ellen, Devin, Abby, Delta, Lucille, JB, William, Andrew, David, and Michael. They had six great-grandchildren: Ayla, Bridget, Norah, Jonathan, Toby, and Natalie. He is remembered lovingly by all.

Though he lived a simple, uncluttered life, it was a life well lived, with memories that he held dear until the end. William Joseph Peeler was a good man, good husband, and good father. He gave everything he had to those he loved.