Billy Gene "Bear" Berrier

BILLY G. BERRIER "BEAR" VALPARAISO, IN
Billy Gene Berrier, 73 of Valparaiso, passed away, Sunday, December 13, 2015 in his home with his family at his side. Bill courageously battled stage four cancer for nearly six years. He was born in Valparaiso on December 14, 1941 to Ruth (LaHayn) and Arthur Berrier, who preceded him in death. Bill is survived by his "beautiful bride," Sandra, and they recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. He is also survived by his two daughters, Amber (Scott) Kissinger-Brown and Kimberly (fiancé Terry Hulse) Berrier and his beloved dachshund, Levi. He is also survived by his nephew, Stephen Berrier and his niece, Christine (James) Kingery as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth in 1989. Bill was honored to meet Andrey Vasiliev of Moscow, Russia and continue a friendship that lasted 19 years. Bill met the love of his life when he attended the two-room schoolhouse at Hayes Leonard when he was in sixth grade. Bill graduated from Valparaiso High School in 1959. He entered the Army in August 1960 and proudly served his country helping build Ramstein Air Force base as a heavy machine operator and was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany until his discharge in 1963. He did his training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO with the 45th Battalion. He was employed as a lineman and dispatcher for NIPSCO until his retirement in 1998. Bill was a founding member of the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department from 1975 to 1984 where he was the Board President for eight years. Bill was a very dedicated family man who loved his wife and daughters as he put them first in his life. He was very active in the YMCA Indiana Princess program, the school PTA and NEVER missed any of his children's school activities. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, woodworking, model trains, yard work, gardening and spending time with his family. Bill and Sandy were active in many camping clubs including Hoosier Cruisers, Good Sam and Coachman. They spent the last 14 years wintering in Mission, TX, where he enjoyed playing the guitar and singing in gospel jam sessions. Bill was a member of the Central Christian Church in Valparaiso and was very devoted to the Lord. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2015 at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 18, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with graveside services following at Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso. Memorials may be given to the family or VNA Hospice of Valparaiso. MoellerFuneralHome.com