William Ward Fullmer, 87, of LaPorte, died peacefully after a brief illness at 7:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, at Franciscan St. Anthony Health, Michigan City, IN.
He was born Feb. 12, 1927, in North Liberty, IN, to Howard and Rachel Eva (Tiedge) Fullmer.
Bill lived his boyhood in North Liberty. After graduating from North Liberty High School, he enlisted and served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS Suwannee. When Bill returned from the Navy, he enrolled in a home study course to become an electrician; he graduated and served an apprenticeship with a local licensed electrician. Subsequently he set up a business out of his home called Bill’s Live Wire Service. Upon his marriage he moved to LaPorte and ran his growing business under the name B and E Electric. Later he established and operated The Lighthouse Electrical Supply at 609 Andrew Ave. and The Lighthouse Electrical Supply Warehouse and Sales Room at the old Maple School at 204 North St., both in LaPorte.
William will be long and fondly remembered for his ever-ready smile, his sense of humor, his infectious laugh and his love of a good joke. He was a generous and caring person, often helping even those he just met. His employees were prized and treated as family members.
On July 15, 1955, in LaPorte, he married Ellen Hultgren, who survives.
Also surviving are his children, David (Denise) Fullmer of New Carlisle, IN, and Julie Fullmer and Laurie Fullmer Santolino, both of LaPorte; four grandchildren, William (Wills) Fullmer of Lafayette, IN, Rachel Fullmer of East Lansing, MI, and James and Shawn Santolino of LaPorte; brothers, John (Azalee) of Kiln, MS, Carl (Jeanette) Fullmer of Mishawaka, IN, and Martin Fullmer of South Bend, IN; and two sisters, Louise Umbaugh of Osceola, IN, and Edith (William) Schmitt of North Liberty.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Donn, who died in infancy, Arthur, who died in World War II and is buried with his regiment at Naturro, Italy, and Dr. Harold of Birmingham, AL; and a sister, Frances F. Buck of Mishawaka.
Family and friends will gather for a memorial for recently departed family members at Potato Creek State Park, North Liberty, on April 12 at 2:30 p.m. Ask for location at the park entrance. Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, is handling arrangements.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.