Billy R. Osborne, 76, passed away at 9:28 p.m. Jan. 14, 2017, in Lakeland (Fla.) Regional Medical Center. He was born Oct. 8, 1940, in Prestonsburg, Ky., to Dewy and Julia Tussey Osborne, who both preceded him in death. He married Linda L. Rapp on March 10, 1961, in Michigan. He served in the United States Coast Guard and the Merchant Marines. He spent most of his lifetime in Warsaw, spending the last 17 years between Warsaw and Florida. He worked at North American Van Lines and Bendix Wire, and was owner/operator of Linda’s Taxi, before joining NIPSCO, where he retired with nearly 30 years of service. He was a member of the Shriners, Moose Lodge, VFW, American Legion and Lions Club. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a Mason. He loved to cook and travel – highlights including Hawaii, Germany, Mexico and Alaska. He enjoyed fishing and boating on his pontoon. He enjoyed entertaining and hosting large fish fries for friends and family. Survivors include two daughters, Linn R. (spouse Jack E. Jr.) Campbell, Culver, and Julie K. (spouse Christopher) Robinson, Warsaw; eight grandchildren: Danyelle Routson, Florida; Devin Huff, Michigan; Dezirae Wilson, Warsaw; Brittany Murray, Fort Wayne; Jack Campbell III, Culver; Sydney Robinson, Warsaw; Beth Volz, Fort Wayne; and Angela Campbell, Culver; a brother, James (spouse Debbie) Osborne, Michigan; a sister, Mary (spouse Eddie) Wright, Florida; and 11 great-grandchildren. He was preceded by his wife, Linda Osborne, in January 2006; an infant son, Billy R. Osborne Jr., July 1969; his mother, Julia Belcher, August 2007; his father, John Belcher Jr., July 1999; and brothers John “Gordy” Belcher, October 2003, and David Belcher, who died as a toddler. Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw. The service will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Michael Mueller, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Warsaw, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, with military graveside honors conducted by Warsaw’s American Legion Post 49 and VFW Post 1126. ***** Memorials to Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, Burn Care in the memo line.
