William ‘Bill’ Bickerstaff
William D. “Bill” Bickerstaff, 88, passed away on 8:33 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
He was born in Steubenville, Ohio on Sept. 18, 1930, to Albert and Augusta (Oberg) Bickerstaff. As soon as he was old enough, Bickerstaff enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until his honorable discharge.
On Aug. 5, 1947, he married Dorothy C. Gooch in Toronto, Ohio. The couple shared many memories in their 49 years of marriage, until her death in 1996. After some time, he would marry the second love of his life, Alberta “Petie” Bowman, on July 20, 2007, until her passing on March 18, 2014.
Bickerstaff worked for Ohio Power and for AEP as an engineer for 37 years until his retirement in October of 1990.
He loved his family and adored all his grandchildren, all three generations. He was a member of the Plymouth Moose Lodge, serving in various positions through his years. He was a member of the American Legion in Tell City, a lifetime member of the VFW Post in Moundsville, W. Va. and he attended First United Methodist Church. Bill was an avid Pittsburg Steelers fan and the Pittsburg Pirates. He was very proud and boasted that he attended game seven of the 1960 World Series when Bill Mazoreski hit the winning home run.
He is survived by his children and their families: Debbie Hesler (David Roush), Plymouth, and her children: Jamie, Mark and Mike, (deceased) Doug (Geneva) Bickerstaff and his children: Kristie, Kelly and Kisha, Dan (Cindy) Bickerstaff, Huntington, and their children: Danny, Billy, Ty, Jim and Curtis, and John (Gloria) Bickerstaff, Three Oaks, Mich., and their children: Lori and Sean; 33 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren; and his brother, Albert “Abie” Bickerstaff of Steubenville, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his two wives, Dorothy and Alberta “Petie”, his parents, son Doug Bickerstaff and his siblings: Clarie Louise Bainso, Mary Margaret Stoehr and Dale Bickerstaff.
He decided to donate his body to the IU School of Medicine, so there will be no funeral arrangements set at this time.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth, IN 46563.