Carl Cotner Williams

Carl Cotner Williams

Jan. 2, 1928 — March 17, 2021

Carl Cotner Williams, 93, of Winamac, passed quietly away at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at his daughter’s home near Winamac. 

Carl was born on Jan. 2, 1928, in Earl Park, Benton County, to the late Cotner C. and Effie E. (Day) Williams. 

Carl graduated from Earl Park High School in 1945. As a young man Carl worked for his father changing tires on the road for the various truck fleets that they serviced between Chicago and Indianapolis. In 1950, Carl entered the U.S. Army. In April of 1951, he was shipped to Korea. Carl served in the Third Combat Engineers, Twenty-fourth Division. He returned home in 1952. Carl married Audrey Ann Wagner, of Briggsville, Wisconsin, on April 12, 1953, in Milwaukee. They lived in Earl Park for one year. In 1954, the couple moved to the Williams’ family farm (since 1877), 5 miles east of Winamac. There they raised five children who all grew to adulthood on the family farm.

Carl started driving a school bus in 1956 for the Fairview School in Harrison Township. When Fairview School consolidated with Winamac schools in 1967, Carl got a bus route with Winamac schools, where he drove until 2012 when he retired with 58 years under his belt. He also worked for ASCS in their Winamac office measuring grain bins and set aside acreage starting in the 1980s. Carl retired from ASCS in 2011.

Carl is very much responsible for repopulating the bluebirds in Pulaski County. He placed and maintained more than 200 bluebird houses in Pulaski County for many years. He was always excited to get people started in birdwatching. He made houses for all kinds of creatures from birds to bats. Carl was a beekeeper and enjoyed selling his honey at the local farmer’s market. He enjoyed fishing and spending time in the woods cutting trees.

He is survived by his daughters: Deb DeSchepper of Winamac, and Lisa [Steve] Burton of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; grandsons: Jesse [Erica] Rude of Kewanna, Josh Ruhl of Noblesville, Ory Maxwell of Southgate, Kentucky, and Clint [Chelsea] Maxwell of Carmel; granddaughters: Caitlin DeSchepper of Heber City, Utah, and Bridget Ruhl of Swayzee; and great-grandchildren: Olivia Rude, Hunter and Ava Taylor, McKayla and Emily Hughes, and Aleah Trigg. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Cotner C. and Effie E. (Day) Williams; brothers: Tom E. Williams and George D. Williams; sons: Steve Williams and David Williams; and daughter Linda Davis. 

Visitation was from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 21, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 22, at Frain Mortuary in Winamac. Rev. Edward Clark officiated. Burial took place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lake Bruce. The VFW and American Legion conducted military graveside services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hoots to Howls Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.

(Pulaski County Journal — March 24, 2021)

Pulaski County Journal

114 W. Main Street
Winamac, IN 46996

(574) 946-6628
 

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