W. DeFord 'De' Hite
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
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He was born March 5, 1920, in Fort Wayne, to Willis DeFord and Edith S. Stecher Hite. On Nov. 11, 1943, he married Dorothy Elizabeth Bay, who survives.
He graduated from Butler University, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and received an MBA degree from Ball State University. He served his country as a lieutenant J.G. in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II in both the European and South Pacific theaters. He served aboard the U.S.S. General Hugh L. Scott. He retired from GTE of Indiana as vice president of marketing after 37 years. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church. He was a Free Mason and member of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine.
Also surviving are a daughter, Celestine H. (and spouse Bill) Cutter, Batesville; a son, Col. James (and spouse Susan) Hite, Atlanta, Ga.; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a brother.
Private services will be officiated by the Rev. Kevin Rhoads at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse..
Calling is from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
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Memorials to Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, P.O. Box 548, Syracuse, IN 46567.
Send condolences may be sent via eastlundfuneralhome.com[[In-content Ad]]
He was born March 5, 1920, in Fort Wayne, to Willis DeFord and Edith S. Stecher Hite. On Nov. 11, 1943, he married Dorothy Elizabeth Bay, who survives.
He graduated from Butler University, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and received an MBA degree from Ball State University. He served his country as a lieutenant J.G. in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II in both the European and South Pacific theaters. He served aboard the U.S.S. General Hugh L. Scott. He retired from GTE of Indiana as vice president of marketing after 37 years. He was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church. He was a Free Mason and member of the Scottish Rite and the Shrine.
Also surviving are a daughter, Celestine H. (and spouse Bill) Cutter, Batesville; a son, Col. James (and spouse Susan) Hite, Atlanta, Ga.; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a brother.
Private services will be officiated by the Rev. Kevin Rhoads at Eastlund Funeral Home, Syracuse..
Calling is from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.
****
Memorials to Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, P.O. Box 548, Syracuse, IN 46567.
Send condolences may be sent via eastlundfuneralhome.com[[In-content Ad]]
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