William Phend

SOUTH WHITLEY - William Henry Phend, 94, formerly of South Whitley, Indiana, and Sun City Center, Florida, died peacefully at Sunset Senior Community in Jenison, Michigan, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.

Born on May 5, 1930, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was the only son of the late Rolland Victor Phend and Hazlette Aileen (Brubaker) Phend.

Growing up in the Larwill area, he graduated from Larwill High School.

He was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 20, 1951. Serving at Camp Stewart in Georgia, he received an honorable discharge on March 19, 1953.

On Oct. 27, 1967, he married Connie Lee Shireman. They made their home in South Whitley. After retiring, the couple moved to Fort Wayne and then Sun City Center, Florida. Connie died on July 18, 2023.

In 1950, Bill joined Vic's Typewriter Service in Fort Wayne. Keeping current with new technologies, Bill bought the business in 1970, renaming it Phend's Business Machine, providing outstanding services with current technology. With the fast-paced change in business machine technology, Bill kept current by taking electronics courses at IPFW.

Bill always maintained a cheerful disposition with a smile on his face. He enjoyed spending time with his children. He would attend Boy Scout events with his boys in Larwill, and took them canoeing. As they became older, they worked on construction projects, building, fabricating, and repairing. He also took up tennis.

When the grandkids came along, he became very involved in their activities and helped them with their math skills. The last few years of his life were spent living with his grandson and great-grandchildren in Michigan. He took great joy in tagging along with his grandson, working on various projects.

Surviving are his sons, Robert Phend, of San Maros, California, Daniel (Nancy) Phend, of Andrews, William (Nila Davis) Phend Jr., of Fort Wayne and Timothy (Jennifer), of Allegan, MIichigan; stepchildren, Debra (Douglas) Long, of North Webster, Donald (Tonya) Reiff, of South Whitley and Dennis (Kim) Reiff, of Warsaw; grandchildren, Tyler Phend, David Phend Jr., Tessa Phend, Gabriela Phend and Zachary Phend;, great-grandchildren, Hailey, Hayden and Hayzen Phend, Cash Presley and Tucker Phend, Addison Ivy, Henry and Sage Phend, Emry, Jaxson, Rhyett Cook and Flora Phend; step-grandchildren, Austin Reiff, Justin Reiff, Amber Reiff, Melissa Long, Phillip Long, Melinda Long Witmer and Brandon Long; 11 step-great-grandchildren; and one step great-great-granddaughter.

The funeral service is at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.

Burial is at South Whitley Cemetery.

Visitation is from 1 p.m. until the service on Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorials in William's honor may be made to the donor's choice.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com