William Metcalf

William E. (Bill) Metcalf, 89, of North Webster died at 8:10 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, IN. He was born on October 22, 1918 in Momence, IL to Edwin & Nina Zoa (Dorsey) Metcalf.

He was raised in Momence, IL until 1931 when his family moved to the North Webster/Leesburg, IN area where he resided until moving to Grace Village Retirement Community in 2007. He graduated in 1936 from North Webster High School. On September 22, 1939 at Shoe Lake, IN he married E. Lunetta Lentz, who survives. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict.

He was the founder and former co-owner of the Metcalf & Payne Plumbing and Heating in North Webster, IN from 1955-1981. He then worked 14 years for the Tri-County Department of Natural Resources. He also worked at Neibert's Fresh Produce at Shoe Lake.

Member of the First Baptist Church of Oswego where he served as Deacon, Sunday School Superintendent and sang in the choir; American Legion Post 253 in North Webster for 63 years; North Webster - Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce, where he was named North Webster Person of the Year in 1996; North Webster Lion's Club where he was made a honorary lifetime member in 2000 and received the Lion of the Year in 1983, served as Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer for District 25-G Lions Club from 1982-1983, and received the Melvin Jones Fellow Humanitarian Services Lions Club Award; Former Fire Chief and member of the North Webster Fire Dept. for 73 years; Lifetime member of the Volunteer Fireman Association; member and former chairman of the Tippecanoe Township Advisory Board; former member of the Indiana Plumbing Association; Kosciusko County Fireman of the Year in 1997, served as Grand Marshall of the Mermaid Festival Parade in 1998, and received the Governor's Meritorious Service Award in 2005.

He is survived by:
Wife - E. Lunetta Metcalf of Winona Lake
1 Son - Philip L. (wife, Karilyn) Metcalf of North Webster
4 Grand, 2 Step Grand, 8 Gt. Grand, & 7 Step Gt. Grandchildren

He was preceded by: Parents, and 1 Son - William Douglas Metcalf in 2000

Visitation will be held from 2:00 -7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2008 at the Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, IN. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday March 17, 2008 at the First Baptist Church of Oswego, 2985 E Church St., Oswego, IN with Pastor Gary Colby of the church officiating. Burial will follow at the Oak Grove Cemetery in North Webster with full military graveside rites by the North Webster American Legion Post 253.

Memorial bequest may be given to the First Baptist Church of Oswego or the North Webster Fire Department. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church. To send condolences to the family in Mr. Metcalf's memory please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com