Bill Joe Burnsworth Sr., 84, of Lagro, Indiana, died at 11:15 p.m., Monday, January 29, 2018 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne. He was born December 18, 1933 in New Holland, Indiana to Joseph and Clara (Heath) Burnworth.
Bill married Barbara Jean McDaniel in Dora, Indiana on December 22, 1951; she died June 2, 2006. He worked for Norfolk and Western/Norfolk and Southern Railroad 23 years until his retirement on January 1, 1996. He has also worked as a truck and dump truck driver and for Celotex and Ford Meter Box, both of Wabash, Indiana. He was a member of the Lagro Community Church. Bill enjoyed restoring old cars and loved family get-together’s. He always hosted Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter at his home. He especially loved his family, grandkids, and great grandkids!
He is survived by his four children, Brenda Thompson, Betty (Joel) Murray, and Bonnie J. Meredith, all of Lagro, and Bill (Nicky) Burnsworth, Jr. of Wabash, 10 Grandchildren, 15 Great Grandchildren, and his brother, Thomas Burnsworth of Lagro. He was also preceded in death by his parents, two sons-in- law, Gary Thompson and Terry Meredith, one granddaughter, Jodi Hall, three brothers, and five sisters.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 2, 2018 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Rev. Melissa Rice officiating. Burial will be in Lagro Cemetery. Friends may call 2-8 p.m., Thursday, and one hour before the service on Friday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Lagro First Responders or Lagro Community Church Food Pantry.
The memorial guest book for Bill may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.