William Max Hurd, 86, of South Whitley, Ind., passed away Sunday, June 9, 2013, in his residence. .

He was born Feb. 2, 1927, in Warsaw, Ind., to Chauncey J. and Dessa V. (Anderson) Hurd. His formative years were spent in the Columbia City, Ind., area. He began seventh grade at South Whitley where he completed his schooling. On Dec. 4, 1945, he entered the U.S. Army. He served as a paratrooper in the Pacific Theater and during the occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged Jan. 11, 1947. On June 6, 1947, he was united in marriage to Doris Jean Arnold. They have always made their home in the South Whitley area.

A career long brick mason, he worked for several construction companies as a union bricklayer before he started his own masonry service in 1974 with his son-in-law, Hurd & Slater Masonry. He was a member of the Eel River Community Church of the Brethren and during his winters in Florida, he attended Venice Community Church of the Brethren.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years; four daughters: L. Dianne (Jim) Draper, Larwill, Ind.; J. Christine (Don) King, Larwill; Vicky (Steve) Myers, Columbia City, Ind.; and Kathy (Kim) Slater, South Whitley; 13 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and a sister: Maxine Judd, South Whitley.

He was preceded in death by a brother: Jim Hurd; a sister: Marjorie Krider; three half-brothers: Garland Hurd, Stanley Hurd and Harold Householder; and three half-sisters: Carrie Wright, Elsie Weurtley and Ilo Smith.

Visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 14, at Eel River Community Church of the Brethren, 2507 SR 14, Silver Lake, Ind. A memorial service with be held at 3 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the church.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Venice Community Church of the Brethren or the American Heart Association.