William “Bill” Arnett, Winona Lake, passed away at 6:35 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw at the age of 82.

William ‘Bill’ Arnett

He was born on March 10, 1939, in Goodloe, Ky., in Floyd County, one of seven children born to Nancy (England) Arnett and Lee Arnett. Bill gained a lifetime of love with his daughter and son.

Bill grew up in Kentucky and moved to Kosciusko County when he was 15 years old. He cared for his disabled mother until the age of 22 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army on Feb. 7, 1962. He was stationed oversees and proudly served until his honorable discharge on Jan. 12, 1964.

Upon his return home from service, Bill worked as a machinist for White Metal. For many years, he worked for Big Boy Products until they closed and retired from C.C.I. Manufacturing in Warsaw. He was a man who knew the value of good hard day’s work and providing for his family.

Bill enjoyed the simple things in life: spending time with family, a good meal, watching old John Wayne westerns and James Dean movies and supporting veterans. Most of all, he loved being a grandfather: his three grandsons meant the world to him.

Bill enjoyed having his grandsons over for movie night, sleepovers and doughnuts in the morning. In his youth, William loved to play the guitar and enjoyed it even more when he was able to teach his grandson, Logan, how to play. He bonded with his grandson, Griffin, through their shared military service and loved his porch-time visits and chats with his oldest grandson, Jacob.

Bill will be remembered as a loving father and grandfather and dearly missed by all.

He will be lovingly remembered by his daughter, Tammy (Cliff) Smith, Warsaw; son Matt (Angie) Arnett, Warsaw; and his three grandchildren, Jacob and Logan Vetor and Griffin Arnett.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Corbin, Joe and Oliver Arnett; and three sisters, Nora Slone, Grace Bays and Leora Bradley.

Bill’s life will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Glen Hughes. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from noon-1 p.m. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.

Memorial donations may be directed to Grace Village Retirement Community, 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, IN 46590.

Condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.