William J Irwin

Bill Irwin, age 76, of rural Atwood, passed away on the family farm on Friday, May 12, 2023, surrounded by his family with love. 

Born William Joseph Irwin, "Bill" as most knew him, was an easy-going, straightforward man. He was born in Warsaw on August 27, 1946, to Joseph M. and Norma J. Rose Irwin. Bill spent most of his life in the Atwood area, attending Atwood School and graduating from Warsaw High School. He also attended Grace College.

In his younger years, besides farming, Bill’s passion was drag racing with Jon Hammel and getting in a good game of golf at Rozella Ford with his wife and friends. He frequented the Atwood and Etna Green cafés for decades drinking coffee and shooting the breeze with neighbors first thing every morning. Bill’s greatest joy in life was working on the farm side-by-side with his son, Joe Irwin, until he retired. After retirement, Bill remained as Joe’s sounding board and best friend, as he proudly watched his son continue and expand the business that he started.

His proudest achievement, by far, was establishing Irwin Farms, second only to his marriage to Rita Johnson on August 7, 1971, and the birth of his son. In addition to his wife, Rita Irwin and his son, Joe (wife, Amy) Irwin of rural Atwood, those who survive include four grandchildren: Hollie (Landon) Hawks of Warsaw, Jodie (Aaron) Gingerich of Fort Wayne, Jacob (Andrea) Semonis of Warsaw and Ashley Irwin (Paul Barrow) of Warsaw, as well as two siblings: James (Mary Ann) Irwin of Fort Wayne and Nancy Evans of Gallatin, TN. Bill loved his family deeply and was especially proud to be a grandpa and great grandpa; five great-grandchildren also survive and the family is excited to welcome a sixth in August.

Titus Funeral Home, 2000 Sheridan Street, Warsaw is trusted with care of Bill and his family. Friends may gather at the Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Life Celebration Funeral will be held at the Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 17 for visitation at 10 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Stony Point Cemetery. Pastor David Banning will officiate.

Monetary donations may be made to Atwood Otterbein Church with envelopes available at the funeral home. Written condolences may be left for the family at www.TitusFuneralHome.com