August 3 1947 August 7 2019
William’s Obituary William D. “Bill” Fern, age 72 of Davenport, FL and formerly of Elwood, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 surrounded by his family at his home following an extended illness. He was born August 3, 1947 in Elwood, the son of Raymond and Flora (Holtsclaw) Fern. Bill was a 1965 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School. He married Linda A. Heater on September 30, 1978, and they shared over 40 years of marriage together. Bill worked in the quality control department for Delco Electronics division of General Motors in Kokomo for 30 years and retired in 1998. In retirement, Bill and Linda moved to the warmer climate of Florida where Bill enjoyed working at Walt Disney World for 13 years until 2013. He especially loved driving the boats at Epcot, and Bill was selected to Disney’s “Year of a Million Dreams” in 2006. Bill was a member of Community of Faith Methodist Church in Davenport, Florida and served on the Polk County Sheriff’s Advisory Board. He was a member of the Elwood Elks Lodge #368 and proudly served as Exalted Ruler of the lodge from 1982 to 1983. Bill was also a former member of the Elwood DeMolay; a life member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay; and member of the Frankton American Legion. He cared about the Elwood community and formerly served on the Elwood Planning Commission and the Elwood Board of Zoning Appeals for several years. Bill enjoyed golfing with his friends through the years and was an avid Indianapolis Colts football fan. Bill will be remembered for his friendly personality, and he was blessed with many special friends in both the Elwood community and in Florida. More than anything, he loved his wife and family very much, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Bill’s family includes his wife, Linda A. Fern of Davenport, FL; 2 sisters-in-law, Sue Fern of Brandon, FL and Myra (husband Jim) Rose of Davenport, FL; several nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers, Charles and wife Mary Fern, Bob and wife Geraldine Fern, and Willis Fern. A funeral service celebrating Bill’s life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with family friend, Rich Leavell, officiating. Burial will follow in the Elwood City Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home. An Elks Lodge Memorial Ritual will be conducted at 7:00 pm Wednesday evening in honor of his past leadership in the lodge. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Elks National Foundation through the funeral home. Online condolences and memories may be shared at copherfeslermay.com. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William D Bill Fern August 3 1947 August 7 2019.
Copher – Fesler – May Funeral Home – Elwood
Death notice for the town of: Elwood, state: Indiana