WILLIAM E. "BILL" YODER

WILLIAM "BILL" E. YODER, 74, passed peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, Indianapolis at the IU Health University Hospital surrounded by his family. Born on Sept. 4, 1948, the family moved to Garrett in 1956 where his father purchased the Ford dealership. When Bill graduated from Garrett High School in 1966, he attended Michigan State University and received his BS in marketing. Upon graduation, he returned to Garrett to work at Yoder Ford Sales. In the late 1980's, Bill purchased and expanded the dealership, including establishing Yoder-Fuller Ford in Angola from 2013 to 2019. Bill continued to work from the hospital until his death. Bill was proud of his business accomplishments. He was recognized 26 times by Ford Motor Company which included seven President's awards, receiving the last one in 2022. The Ford President's Award is one of Ford's most prestigious awards focusing on customer satisfaction. Bill also received the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame award in 2015 for DeKalb County and awarded Most Outstanding Business of the Year in Garrett. Bill was dedicated to his employees and the community. During his life time, he supported local county sports associations, Girl Scouts, Garrett Public Library, and The Judy A. Morrill Recreation Center (JAM) among others. He was also a former Exalted Ruler of the local order of the Elks and served as a Board Member of the Garrett State Bank. During Bill's free time, he enjoyed coaching his children's team sports, playing bridge and poker with his buddies, going to car auctions, golfing, and spending time with his family at Lake Gage. Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ethel (Finn) Yoder; sister, Mary Kay Weeks of Angola; children, Erica and Paul Jamison of Huntertown, and Dr. Jeffrey Yoder of Chicago; grandsons, William, Andrew and Benjamin Jamison; sister-in-law, Karen (Ron) Sanders of Angola; Bobbie Finn-Will (Lois Ventura) of Toledo; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Sarah Yoder; brother-in-law, Douglas Weeks; in-laws, Helen and Arnold Finn; and his beloved dog, Francine "Frannie". Memorials can be given to the JAM Center of Garrett, Ind.; The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society; or a blood donation or monies to the American Red Cross. Funeral arrangements are pending at Thomas Funeral Home of Garrett.