AKRON – William D. “Bill” Day, 88, rural Roann, died at 4:49 p.m. Jan. 11, 2015, at his residence. He was born Dec. 19, 1926, in Wabash County, to Howard and Ruth Gilliland Day. On Jan. 25, 1992, in Akron, he married Mary Nicodemus Emmons, who survives in Roann. He was a dairy farmer and a lifetime farmer. He also delivered The Paper of Wabash and the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II in the Philippines. He was a 67-year member of the Laketon American Legion as well as a lifetime member of the VFW of Rochester. He was also a former member of the Laketon Lions Club. He loved his dog, Buddy, and enjoyed tractors – especially his D-17 Allis-Chalmers, which he bought new in 1964. Also surviving are two daughters, Linda (and spouse Mark) Bristow, Omaha, Ark., and Paula (and spouse Randy) Hackworth, Roann; three sons: Richard “Dick” (and spouse Renee) Day, Denver, Ind., and De (and spouse Joyce) Day and William David (and spouse Kathy) Day, all of Mentone; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; six sisters: Annie (and spouse Jordan) Hudson, Roann; Darla (and spouse John) Eads and Esta Alice (and spouse Carl) Good, all of Servia; Phyllis Vandekamp, North Manchester; Peggy (and spouse Earl) McCollough, Logansport; Liddy (and spouse Ken) Crowel, Yuma, Ariz.; a brother, Morris (and spouse Judy) Day, North Manchester. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Roberta K. “Wink” Emmons; a granddaughter, Kimberly Day; and four brothers: Ralph Jr., Rich, Newt and Gene Day. Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, with Pastor Chad McAtee officiating. Burial is in Athens Cemetery with graveside military rites performed by the American Legion. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to Laketon American Legion. Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
