William H. Fox, 72, of Michigan City, IN, died Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at St. Anthony Memorial Hospital, Michigan City.
He was born July 11, 1937, in Michigan City to William R. and Augusta L. (White) Fox.
Mr. Fox was a machine operator at Weil McLain for 43 years until his retirement in 1999. He had also worked local lumberyards for 25 years. Bill was a good man; for anyone who knew him, you had a special place in his heart. Bill was a caring man who devoted himself to his family and his wife, Lillian, whom he loved so dearly. Bill enjoyed being around the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved the little babies the most. Bill was a hard worker, father and grandfather, but most of all a friend who was always there. There aren’t many people like Bill today, a great man who wasn’t very tall but stood taller than most with pride, with a blue-collar lifestyle. He was willing to give the shirt off his back. Bill was the symbol of a man and always will be. He enjoyed many things in life like camping with family and friends at Jellystone, playing bingo, enjoying the outdoors, riding motorcycles, and designing and building stock cars, where he raced at Illiana and South Bend Raceways. He also enjoyed bowling, listening to his radio and doing puzzle books. He will be greatly missed by many.
On May 30, 1959, he married Lillian Mae Bethke, who died Sept. 29, 2003.
Surviving are sons Robert E. Lewis of Westville, Barry A. Lewis of LaPorte, and Richard J. Lewis and Danny L. (Sally) Lewis, both of Michigan City; daughters Bonnie J. Lewis of the Pines and Judith A. (David) Robbins, Darlene Morales and Sharon Lindenmeyer, all of Michigan City; 35 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren; and a handful of great-great grandchildren; brothers Gordon Fox of Tucson, AZ, Roger Fox of Three Oaks, MI, and Reginald Fox of Las Vegas; and sisters Marilyn Gillipies and Sharon Poston of Tucson, AZ.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandsons Donald Lewis, Frankie Morales and Tim Atwood; and sisters Shirley Roeber and Margaret Smolinsky.
Services will be held Monday, July 27, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Michigan City, with Rev. William H. Fine officiating. Visitation will be Sunday, July 26, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Carlisle Funeral Home, Michigan City. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Michigan City.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family c/o Carlisle Funeral Home, 613 Washington St., Michigan City, IN 46360.
