William R. Standish

William R. Standish
LAKE WYLIE -- William Rariden Standish, 85, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, surrounded by his family and his dog, Cutter.
Son of the late Fred and Louise Standish, Bill was born July 11, 1926, in Bedford, Indiana. He spent and idyllic childhood with his brother Edward roaming the family-owned Hilltop Dairy Farm and playing along Leatherwood Creek. During his high school years, he played basketball for the Bedford Stonecutters, before attending Wabash College. His college years were interrupted by service in the US Army. Afterward, he returned to Wabash where he played basketball and married Betty Francis Erwin, his lifelong sweetheart, before graduating in 1948. Bill returned to Bedford where he ran the family business, Bedford Home Ice and Coal Company, and also served as chairman of the Board of Education.
In 1960, Bill moved to Charlotte with his wife and two sons, William Rariden Standish, II and Myles Erwin Standish, where he and Keith Peterson bought the John J. Morton Company. In 1973 he formed the Marble and Stone Shop. The family relocated to River Hills in Lake Wylie, SC, in 1978, where Bill who never retired, enjoyed his family, ACC basketball, golf, and his many friends in the River Hills community. He always honored his Indiana roots and made a last solo journey to visit the family farms and old friends in the summer of 2011.
Bill was preceded in death by Betty Erwin Standish, his beloved wife of 62 years; and his brother, Edward Reid Standish.
He is survived by his two sons and their families, Bill Standish and special friend Rena Colvard; Myles E. Standish and wife Shelley Crisp; grandchildren William R. Standish, III (Trey); Katherine Standish Graves, husband Drew; and daughter Haley; Nigel Rariden Standish; Nora Elizabeth Standish; Edward Reid Standish and fiancee Joanna Reilly; and Alice Starr Standish and special friend Aki Laakso.
Bill enjoyed a long and wonderful life, surrounded by dogs, family, friends and many cherished memories. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life at the River Hills Community Church, Saturday, March 10, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the River Hills EMS, 4 Heritage Drive, Lake Wylie, SC 29710 or an animal shelter of your choice.
Online condolences may be made to www.mlfordsons.com.
M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the family of Mr. Standish.