Charles William ‘Bill’ Arnett
April 9, 1924 – March 19, 2016
Charles William “Bill” Arnett, 91, of Jonesboro, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2016 in Ft. Wayne after a brief illness. Bill was born on April 9, 1924 on the family farm, to the late Thomas E. Arnett and Florence (Crews) Arnett of Liberty Township, Grant County. His older brother, Warren Elwood “Doc” Arnett, preceded him in death on Feb. 20, 2015 at the age of 93.
Bill graduated from Fairmount High School in 1941 and the next year, continued his education with Vocational Training as a lathe operator (National Defense).
In 1944, Bill was inducted into the United States Army. He served with the Military Police in the Rhineland and Central European Campaigns. His battalion was part of the 7th Army, the 103rd Infantry Division. Postwar, he was involved in the Allied Occupation of Austria. In 1947, he left his post in Europe and became part of the U.S. Army Reserve until 1950. He was honored with many medals and badges, including the Bronze Star given to him by Sen. Richard Lugar.
After the war, Bill continued his machine repair business and farming. Many area farmers would go to Bill if they needed a piece of equipment fixed. He was a member of the American Legion Post 313 in Fairmount, a member of the VFW formerly in Fairmount and attended Center Christian Church.
He is survived by his niece, Margaret McCord, Ft. Wayne; grand-niece, Stephanie Wagner, Ft. Wayne, grand-nephews, David (Julie) McCord, Medina, Ohio, Jeff McCord, Marion, Ill., Andy (Lisa) McCord, Sweetser, along with 6 great-grand nephews and nieces.
Funeral services for Bill will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 24 at Fairmount Chapel Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main St., with Dr. Tom Jones officiating. Interment will be in Park Cemetery, Fairmount. The family will receive friends from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are to Center Christian Church, 3600 W 900 S, Fairmount, IN 46928 and the Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 5910 Homestead Rd, Ft. Wayne, IN 46814
Online condolences and remembrances may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com