Obituary

Funeral service: Monday, June 4, 2012, at 11 a.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Wolcottville Chapel.

Calling: Sunday, June 3, 2012, from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. in the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Monday. ************************************************

Bill W. Ponder, 77, of Wolcottville died Friday, June 1, 2012, at 3:30 a.m. in his residence.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1950 and retired from the military in 1974. He served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During his military career, he received the Bronze Star, three Purple Heart Badges, Distinguished Service Cross, and Combat Infantry Badge.

He and his family moved to Wolcottville in 1974. In 1976, he became the Wolcottville Town Marshall and served in this capacity for 23 years.

He enjoyed camping and woodworking.

Bill devoted his entire life in honorable service to his country and the town of Wolcottville.

He was born on July 23, 1934, in Chaffee, Missouri, to Elbert H. and Irene M. (Jennings) Ponder. On February 18, 1970, in Fort Wayne, he married Marilyn A. (Suever) Jones. She preceded him in death on March 24, 2012.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Dave Sewell of Wolcottville; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tony and Amber Jones of Franklin and Kevin and Jill Jones of Kendallville; a brother, John Ponder of Fort Wayne; three sisters-in-law, Sharon (Tom) Decker of Huntertown, Diane Daggett of Lawrence, Kansas, and Sue Suever of Marion; a brother-in-law, Bill (Marilyn) Suever of Wolcottville; seven grandchildren, Aaron Jones, Nathan Jones, Cortney Jones, Clayton Jones, Holly Jones, Gentry and Christine Warner, and Lauren Sewell and Timmy Newsome; and three great grandchildren, Zander Warner, Benjamin Warner, and Bradley Newsome.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a son, Billy w. Ponder, Jr.; five brothers, two sisters, and a grandson.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 4, 2012, at 11 a.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Wolcottville Chapel, State Road 9 North, Wolcottville with Pastor Mark Suever officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Wolcottville.

Honor guard services will be provided by Rome City American Legion Post #381; Kendallville VFW Post #2749, and active duty members of the U.S. Army.

Pallbearers will be Tony Jones, Kevin Jones, Aaron Jones, Nate Jones, Gentry Warner, Dave Sewell, and Clay Jones.

Calling is Sunday, June 3, 2012, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Monday.

Preferred memorials are to the Wolcottville Police Department Canine Fund.

View a video tribute after Sunday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com