William N. “Bill” Bess, 81, Milford, passed away at 6:47 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2017 at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart.

He was born Jan. 9, 1936 in Franklin, Ohio to Raymond G. and Anna Imogene (Colvin) Bess.

He attended Milford High School and was a lifetime Milford area resident. He was first married to Virginia L. “Ginny” Coy and then on April 10, 1987 in Milford he married Marilyn L. (DeCamp) Kasten who preceded him on Sept. 16, 2009. He retired from Syracuse Rubber Company after 49 years and worked part time for NAPA in Milford after his retirement.

He was a member of the Wawasee Heights Baptist Church in Syracuse & Masonic Lodge #418 in Milford, IN

He is survived by two daughters: Angela Ann Ferrell, Goshen and Mary Kay Bess, Warsaw; a son, William John “Bill” (Jodi) Bess, Wolcottville; three grandchildren, fours step grandchildren and five great grandchildren; two sisters: Carolyn (Larry) Weaver, Syracuse; Deborah (Larry) Lea, Milford; three brothers: Donald (Nancy) Bess, Indianapolis; Daniel Bess, Scottsburg; and Warren Bess, Syracuse; and his companion, Mary Haight, Syracuse.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and two brothers: David and Russell Bess.

Visitation will be from 2–4 p.m. and 6–8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 at Owen Family Funeral Home, 1001 S. Huntington St., Syracuse, IN. Masonic services will be at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2 at the Wawasee Heights Baptist Church, 504 Syracuse – Webster Rd, Syracuse, with Pastor Pat Park of the church officiating.  Burial will take place in the New Paris Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be given to the Wawasee Heights Baptist Church, 504 Syracuse Webster Rd, Syracuse, IN 46567 or National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd St., New York, NY 10016. To send condolences to the family in Bill Bess’ memory, please visit www.owenfamilyfuneralhome.com