William H. Berry

RICHMOND, Ind. – William H. Berry, age 92, of Richmond, died Saturday, May 2, 2015, at Reid Hospital. Born December 30, 1922, in Richmond, Indiana to Donald and Clara Schneider Berry, Bill was a life-long resident of Richmond. He was a 1941 graduate of Whitewater High School and attended Indiana University and Earlham College. Bill played basketball for Earlham College and held the scoring record for many years. He joined the Richmond Fire Department in September 1954. Bill would later be appointed the Assistant Fire Chief in February 1969. He became Fire Chief June 5, 1969 and after many years of service, he retired in 1975. Fire Stations 1, 2, 3, and 5 were built while Bill was Fire Chief. After retiring, he became a Trust Officer at Second National Bank (US Bank). He was an active member of St. John Lutheran Church, and was a member of the endowment committee of the church. Bill was an active member of the Richmond Noon Lions Club, where he had served as president and was awarded the Melvin Jones Award from the club. He was appointed a Kentucky Colonel by the state of Kentucky. Bill and his wife loved to travel, taking bus and ship cruises. He especially loved the European boat cruises. Bill refereed high school basketball and baseball and coached little league. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Irma Hagel Berry to whom he was married on June 16, 1946; daughter, Karen Berry of Richmond; sons, Ronald (Sue) Berry of Novi, Michigan, and William F. (Janet) Berry of North Vernon, Indiana; grandchildren, Jennifer Berry and Jeffrey Berry, both of Novi, Michigan; brothers, Gene Berry and Larry (Shirley) Berry, both of Whitewater, Indiana, and Robert G. (Katie) Berry of Annapolis, Maryland; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. There will be a private visitation for William H. Berry. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home with Rev. James Culver officiating. Entombment will be in Earlham Memorial Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: St. John Lutheran Church, 501 South 7th Street, Richmond, IN 47374 or American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674 Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

William H. Berry

December 30, 1922 - May 2, 2015