William “Bill” Berg passed away peacefully Friday May 24th, 2019 at home with his wife by his side following an extended illness. Bill was born in Detroit, MI June 22, 1939, the son of the late Hubert and Marion Berg. Bill moved to Fort Wayne in 1948 and was a 1957 graduate of South Side High School. Fort Wayne was where Bill began his golfing career, working for the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department. Bill saw McMillen Park Golf Course through its initial construction in 1962 and its first few years of operation. He then moved to Foster Park Golf Course where he was the Pro and instrumental in lengthening the course and constructing new greens. Bill joined the PGA of America in 1959 where he started playing on tour around the United States. Traveling and playing golf was Bill’s desire and what he loved. He was an excellent player even beating Arnold Palmer by two strokes in an exhibition game at Cedar Creek Golf Course in 1971, a highlight for Bill. Later in Bill’s career he was operational manager for ten golf courses in Florida, New York, Oklahoma, Phoenix and Pennsylvania. After retirement Bill and Michelle moved to Blairsville, GA but he still had his hand in the golf industry. Bill was the General Manager /PGA pro at Butternut Creek GC as well as a teaching pro at Old Union GC and Mountain Harbour in Hayesville, NC. Many students and friends will surely miss his teaching, his thumbs up, his high fives and how he helped them learn the game of golf – his passion. Along with golf, Bill’s winter sport was hockey. He was very involved in starting Junior hockey in Fort Wayne with his involvement in the Pepsi Jr. Komets. He loved watching and cheering for his Tampa Bay Lightning! Bill loved the Lord and his praise and worship time with church family where you could hear him say loudly, AMEN! Bill is survived by Michelle, loving wife and best friend of 32 years; son William H. (Rhonda) Berg of Fort Wayne; daughters, Jamie S. (Gary) Hall of South Bend, and Susan E. Matteson –Thomas of Fort Wayne; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, William David; brother, Richard Berg; and a son-in-law Bradley Matteson. A celebration of life will be held 2pm Sunday June 2nd at the House of Prayer Church, Blairsville, GA . Rev. Jerry Helton will be officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the House of Prayer Church in memorial of Bill Berg. Arrangement by Pinnington Funeral & Cremation Services, Auburn. To sign the online guest book, visit www.pinningtonfh.com.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill Berg June 22 1939 May 24 2019 (age 79).
Pinnington Funeral and Cremation Services
Death notice for the town of: Auburn, state: Indiana