William H. Mitchell

William H. Mitchell, 84 of Evansville, passed away on Saturday, August 28, 2010, at Newburgh Health Care. Bill is survived by his devoted wife and best friend of 62 years, Trudy W. Mitchell. A native of McLeansboro, IL, he was a long time resident of Albion, IL prior to moving to Evansville in 2008. In Albion, he owned M&M Oil. Prior to opening M&M Oil he had worked for several oil companies from Texas to Illinois. Mr. Mitchell joined the U.S. Army and fought in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge, earning both the Purple Heart and Bronze Star metals. After his tour of duty he reenlisted with the Military Police and was stationed at the famous Nuremberg War Trials. During this time he personally guarded many of the famous war criminals on trial, including Rudolph Hess. While stationed in Nuremberg, he met his beloved Trudy, after a three year courtship, they were married on January 18, 1948. Their wedding was the first wedding performed in a church in Nuremberg between an American GI and a German bride, following the war. Within thirty days of the wedding Bill and Trudy had to leave Germany because of an American law at the time. They returned to McLeansboro, IL. The support and generosity of the Mitchell's will long be remembered by numerous individuals and organizations in Illinois and Evansville. A few of the many things Bill and Trudy have sponsored and supported include a ballpark, community flag poles, an annual get acquainted dinner for German students at the University of Southern Indiana, twice bringing the Evansville Philharmonic to Albion for concerts, organizing a large holiday care package campaign for the troops in Iraq, and helping countless individuals in need, all speak to his life of generosity and caring. In Evansville, many organizations have been recipients of the Mitchell's love and giving. Included, but not limited to, are the Mesker Park Zoo, the Evansville Philharmonic, Deaconess Hospital and the University of Southern Indiana. At Deaconess, they assisted with the purchase of the first CT scanner, in 1978. The USI campus named Mitchell Auditorium in honor of them and bestowed honorary Doctoral degrees in the 1985, for their long time support to the campus including scholarships to nursing students that will last for many years to come. In 1995, the mayor presented them with the Key to the City of Evansville. Mr. Mitchell was a member of the Evansville Country Club, Evansville Kennel Club, the Masonic Lodge of West Salem, IL for over 50 years, a former member of the Board of Deaconess Hospital, the Board of Southern Indiana University Foundation, Board of Directors of Grayville National City Bank, was one of the early members of Evansville Petroleum Club, serving as its chairman for many years and Chairman on the Board of Grace Land Cemetery. Visitation for Mr. Mitchell will be Monday, August 30, 2010, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville, IN. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at the funeral home, with Father Stephen Lintzenich, and Rev. Daniel Kincaid officiating. Burial with full military rites will follow at Grace Land Cemetery, Albion, IL at 12:30 p.m. Pallbearers will be Bill Fortson, John Clements, Lloyd Winnecke, Dr. Emil Weber, Dr. Ken Nachtnebel and Dr. Ed Brundick Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr, Robert Kincaid, Bruce Baker, Linda White, Dr. Dale Drake, Dr. David Rice and Hugh Miller and Don He. Trudy holds deep appreciation for Bruce Baker and his wonderful staff at Newburgh Health Care and the staff and management of Solabron Retirement Community. Memorial contributions may be made to Deaconess Hospital Foundation, 600 Mary St., Evansville, IN 47710 or to University of Southern Indiana Foundation, 8600 University Blvd., Evansville, IN 47712.