Bill Irwin, age 76, of rural Atwood, passed away on the family farm on Friday, May 12, 2023, surrounded by his family with love.

Bill Irwin

Born William Joseph Irwin, “Bill,” as most knew him, was an easygoing, straightforward man. He was born in Warsaw on Aug. 27, 1946, to Joseph M. and Norma J. Rose Irwin. Bill spent most of his life in the Atwood area, attending Atwood School and graduating from Warsaw High School. He also attended Grace College.

In his younger years, besides farming, Bill’s passion was drag racing with Jon Hammel and getting in a good game of golf at Rozella Ford with his wife and friends. He frequented the Atwood and Etna Green cafés for decades drinking coffee and shooting the breeze with neighbors first thing every morning. Bill’s greatest joy in life was working on the farm side-by-side with his son, Joe Irwin, until he retired. After retirement, Bill remained as Joe’s sounding board and best friend, as he proudly watched his son continue and expand the business that he started.

His proudest achievement, by far, was establishing Irwin Farms, second only to his marriage to Rita Johnson on Aug. 7, 1971, and the birth of his son. In addition to his wife, Rita Irwin, and his son, Joe (wife Amy) Irwin, of rural Atwood, those who survive include four grandchildren, Hollie (Landon) Hawks, of Warsaw, Jodie (Aaron) Gingerich, of Fort Wayne, Jacob (Andrea) Semonis, of Warsaw, and Ashley Irwin (Paul Barrow), of Warsaw, as well as two siblings, James (Mary Ann) Irwin, of Fort Wayne, and Nancy Evans, of Gallatin, Tenn. Bill loved his family deeply and was especially proud to be a grandpa and great-grandpa; five great-grandchildren also survive, and the family is excited to welcome a sixth in August.

Titus Funeral Home, 2000 Sheridan St., Warsaw, is trusted with care of Bill and his family. Friends may gather at the Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. A Life Celebration Funeral will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 17, with visitation at 10 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Stony Point Cemetery. Pastor David Banning will officiate.

Monetary donations may be made to Atwood Otterbein Church with envelopes available at the funeral home. Written condolences may be left for the family at www.TitusFuneralHome.com.