William M. “Bill” Beemer, 86, of Syracuse, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, at the IU Health Goshen Hospital.

He was born April 4, 1926, in Plumtree, Ind., to Oral and Irene (McCourg) Beemer. On Aug. 14, 1949, he married Barbara Keplinger who survives.

He was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran serving from 1944-46. Bill moved to Lake Wawasee full time in 1961.

He was a manufacturing representative for many years as well as president of Beemer Enterprises. He was a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, president of the Syracuse Museum, member of Fort Wayne Mizpah Shrine, Scottish Rite and 32 degree Mason. He was past Commodore of the Wawasee Flotilla, past Commander of the Huntington VFW, a member of the Syracuse American Legion and president of the Sesquicentennial 1987.

Bill is survived by his wife: Barbara Beemer, Syracuse; two daughters: Constance (Steven) Nitsch, Kalamazoo, Mich.; and Cindi (Jeff) Wells, Syracuse;  five grandchildren: Emily, Andrew and Alan Nitsch; Leighton and Cassandra Wells.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter-in-law: Amanda “Mandi” Wells; and his great-granddaughter: Abigail Juliana “A.J” Wells.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, at the funeral home and officiated by Reverend Mike Neff of St. Andrews United Methodist Church. Interment will take place on Monday, Dec. 31, at the Markle Cemetery in Markle, Ind., with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Syracuse Museum or the Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund.