WILLIAM E. STAPLES Sr.

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. -- William E. Staples Sr., 84, of Michigan City, passed away on Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at 3:15 a.m. at The Arbors.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, at First United Methodist Church. A time of remembrance will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church.

Root Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

Bill was born Nov. 15, 1927, in New Bedford, Mass., to the late Howard F. and Ruth B. (Blossum) Staples.

On May 21, 1949, in Waterville, Maine, he married Betty Giroux Staples, who is surviving in Michigan City.

Also surviving are three children: William E. "Bud" (Julie) Staples Jr., of Ellington, Conn., Karen (Dr. Ernest) Hackett, of Jupiter, Fla., and Jane (David) White, of Springdale, Ark.; six grandchildren: Wendy Staples, Heather (Pedro DaSilva) Staples-DaSilva; Tracey Miller, Michelle (Evan) Brown, Marcie Bolka and Michael Bolka; and three great-grandchildren: Devon, JuliAnn and Madison. Preceding him in death is one brother, Howard F. Staples Jr.

His family moved to Waterville when Bill was 13 years old. He was active in school band at Waterville High School and played football for Waterville High.

During his senior year, he joined the Naval Air Corps to fight for his country in World War II in the 21st Naval Torpedo Squadron. After his tour of duty, he attended Maine Central Institute and graduated in 1948.

Bill worked for Hathaway Shirt Co. for 34 years starting as a production trainee and becoming vice president of manufacturing. He was well-known in the apparel industry both in the United States and abroad. He and his family lived in Lowell, Mass., and then moved back to Maine.

After several years as V.P. of operations for Eagle Shirt makers in Quackertown, Pa., and V.P. of manufacturing for Manhattan Shirt Co. in Americus, Ga., he returned to Maine with Hathaway.

He moved his family to Michigan City when Jaymar-Ruby asked him to be group V.P. of manufacturing and operations.

In later years, he became a sales and manufacturing consultant for Gerber Technology.

Bill worked effectively as part of top management in administration, finance, marketing, distribution and engineering. Bill was co-founder and director of the National Trouser Association and chief union negotiator for Hathaway, Eagle and Jaymar-Ruby at the national level.

Bill was a member of First United Methodist Church where he was chairman of the board of trustees until his illness. He was a member of the finance committee and assistant treasurer of the church in earlier years. He also was a member of the endowment committee from the beginning to his death. He loved his God and his church and was a close friend of the pastor.

He loved flying and he and his wife owned a fixed-base facility at the airport in Maine. He also was an avid fisherman and spent leisure time fishing in northern Maine near the Canadian border. He ran a weekend charter service on Lake Michigan and loved time on the lake.

He also enjoyed golf and was a member of the 76ers and Michiana Seniors Golf Association leagues.

Bill was active in the community wherever he lived. He headed the United Way commercial division in Lowell and was a part of the Citizens Concerned for the Homeless in Michigan City and was the group's first treasurer.

He was also a member of the Michigan City Lions Club.

Bill loved children and never missed a Little League game when his son played.

He never missed a dance recital when his daughter was performing and spent many hours taking his daughter Janie fishing both in Maine and Michigan City. He was a Boy Scout leader for many years as well.

In the later years, he sold real estate with Merrion Remijas and loved working with young people helping them not to go beyond their means with their first home.

He was devoted to his family, his work, his church and his many friends.

He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and Red Sox fan and was a member of Elks Lodge 432 and a former member of Moose Family Center 980.

He loved animals and enjoyed all his pets, from his St. Bernard, Heidi, to his little Shih Tzu, Jewel. He loved watching his birds and never let his bird feeder go empty.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 121 East Seventh St., Michigan City, Indiana 46360.