William J. "Bill" Durr, age 91 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, went home to be with the Lord on September 22, 2016 at Miller's Merry Manor in Tipton following an extended illness. He was born January 21, 1925 in Elwood, the son of William Harmon and Rachel Eva (Boring) Durr. Bill retired in 1987 from the Fisher-Body plant of General Motors in Marion where he worked as a pipefitter. He also formerly worked at Delco Remy, a division of General Motors in Anderson from 1946 to 1947. Bill later began his training as a plumber on the G.I. Bill of Rights and worked until 1973 for Hanlin Bros. Plumbing & Heating where he built public schools and other commercial buildings through the Plumbers & Steamfitters Union #327. Bill attended Elwood schools, and later served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Gunner's Mate from 1942 until his discharge in 1945. He married Marie (Hanlin) Simmons on February 9, 1946 in Anderson, and lovingly raised his step-son Ranny J. Simmons from the age of 5½ years. He was a member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Elwood, the Elwood Elks Lodge # 368, the American Legion Post #0053, and was Past-President of St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Bill's family includes his step-son, Ranny (wife Janice) Simmons of Elwood; three sisters, Betty Ross of Greenwood, Barbara Leisure of Frankton, and Carolyn (husband Larry) Snyder of Frankton; grandson, John (wife Theresa) Simmons of Elwood; great grandson, Shane (wife Kristen) Simmons, of Fishers; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of over 66 years, Marie (Hanlin) Simmons-Durr, who died in 2012; four brothers, Edward Durr, Floyd Durr, Marion Durr, and Lloyd Durr; three sisters, Edith Juanita Prater, Mary Hoover, and Evelyn Durr; step-daughter, Penny Rae Simmons; and grandson, Matthew D. Simmons.

A funeral mass celebrating Bill's life will be conducted at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 26, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elwood with Father Dan Duff officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Elwood with military honors being conducted by the U.S. Navy and the Elwood American Legion honor guard. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 PM on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood, and will include a Rosary service at 5:00 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church through the funeral home. Online condolences: copherfeslermay.com.