William L. "Bill" Kessinger , age 84 of Elwood, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Community Hospital in Anderson following a brief illness.  He was born October 2, 1937 in Roseburg, Indiana (Grant County), the son of Walter "Pete" and Wilma (Lloyd) Kessinger.  Bill was a 1955 graduate of Sweetser High School.  He worked as a livestock and grain farmer all his life, and he absolutely loved everything about farming.  Bill married his soulmate, Janice Mae Simmons on October 15, 1955, and they shared over 62 years of marriage together before her passing in 2018.  Bill formerly attended Harmony Christian Church in Leisure.  He and Janice also enjoyed attending the Cowboy Church in Marion for several years.

Bill was very active in the Madison County 4-H program for many years.  He was the former fire chief of the Duck Creek Township Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years.  Bill was known for playing Santa Claus during the holidays for family and friends.  He was also an avid sports fan; formerly coached basketball for the Elwood DeMolay; officiated basketball games for many years; and loved nothing more than watching all his grandchildren play sports.  Both Bill and Janice were avid supporters of the Elwood High School Band program all through the years of their family's involvement and beyond.  Bill's family and grandchildren were paramount in his life, and his great-grandchildren lovingly referred to him as "Grandpa Sucker" for passing out candy suckers on a regular basis.  Bill's favorite meal was fried chicken and gravy, and no one made it better than Janice.  More than anything, Bill will be remembered as a person who never knew a stranger and was always willing to help others.  His family is comforted knowing that Bill and Janice have been reunited for eternity in their Heavenly home.  Bill's favorite quote was "I am the luckiest man alive; I have been blessed by the family I have".

Bill's family legacy includes 3 children, William "Bill" (wife Denise) Kessinger of Elwood, David (wife Suzan) Kessinger of Fairmount, and Patricia "Patti" (husband Ronald) Simmons of Elwood; 5 siblings, Katie Hayes of Granite City, IL, Shirley Robinson of Houston, TX, Dave Kessinger of Jalapa, Becky Creech of Converse, and Beth Dials of Logansport; 9 grandchildren, William (wife Jenny) Kessinger, Tom Kessinger (girlfriend Kambric), Kristi (husband Dave) Kitz, Brian Simmons, Kelly Melton, Brent (wife Aurora) Doster, Kayla Bradford (companion Donovan), Shane Bradford, and Justin Bradford; 21 great-grandchildren, Grace, Blake, Alayna, Lincoln, Jackson, Ariel, Chloe, Zoie, Katie, Landon, Amelia, Hayden, Grayson, Caden, Asa, Josiah, Addy, Ashlyn, Maren, Easton, and Penelope; a great-great-grandson, Brice; two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Melanie (husband Gail) Godby of Sheridan, Paula Simmons of Elwood, and Bruce Simmons of Kokomo; and several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Janice Kessinger; and 4 siblings, Lloyd Kessinger, Lois Patuzzi, Mike Kessinger, and George Kessinger.

A funeral service celebrating Bill's life will be conducted at 11:00 am on Friday, July 1, 2022 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood with his grandson, Brent Doster and Pastor Tom Mansbarger officiating.  Burial will follow in Park Cemetery in Fairmount.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 8 pm on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Madison County 4-H program through the funeral home.  Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.copherfeslermay.com.