On Friday, 7 December 2018, William ‘Bill’ Rudolph Etter, loving husband and father, passed away at the age of 84 after a valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Bill was born in Boise, Idaho to Clyde and Kathryn Etter and received an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Idaho and his Master of Science in Engineering Administration from George Washington University. On June 6, 1958 he married Patricia Partin of Edenton, NC. They raised two children, Janet (Faulkner) and David Etter. Bill retired from the Marine Corps after 28 years of honorable and faithful service and went on to work in banking in the Eastern NC area for 10 years. Bill was decorated Marine Corps Aviator and as his final active duty tour commanded the Naval Air Rework Facility (now Fleet Readiness Center-East) at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. Bill was known as an outstanding leader, an avid golfer, a devout Christian, and someone with a ‘never give up’ attitude. He had a good sense of humor, was a loyal friend and a dedicated family man.
Upon retiring in New Bern in 1983, Bill was involved in several community programs. He served on the Board of Trustees for Craven Community College, was President of New Bern Golf and Country Club, and held various leadership positions at Garber United Methodist Church.
Bill was preceded in death by his father Clyde, his mother Kathryn and his brother, Larry. He is survived by his wife, Patricia and his 2 children, 2 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at Garber United Methodist Church on Monday, December 10, at 2 pm and a reception at Garber’s Morris Hall will immediately follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s honor to Garber United Methodist Church.
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