William “Bill” Seitz, 94, passed away March 16, 2023 in Yuma, AZ, from COPD caused by congestive heart failure.
Bill was born Dec. 5, 1928 in Nashville, Ind., to Ira and Anna Seitz. He was the eldest of five children. Bill grew up on a small farm, attended a one-room school and graduated from Nashville High School in 1948.
His first real job was for the Indiana Department of Conservation at Brown County State Park. He was drafted in 1950, serving during the Korean conflict. Before shipping out, he married Nancy George. He and Nancy had two sons; Douglas Edward and Steven Lyle.
He was busy: worked at Cummins Engine Company, was a Weekend Warrior with Indiana National Guard, and built his own house.
In 1962, he moved his family to Yuma, AZ, for Nancy’s health. He worked for Braden Machine Company in the Caterpillar Division as a field service mechanic. He retired from MCAS Yuma, as a heavy duty mechanic in 1990.
While at MCAS, Nancy died in 1978 after 28 years of marriage. In 1980 he met his second wife Penny Hubbard. He and Penny had a square dance wedding in 1980. They were together more than 42 years. They traveled to square dance festivals, National Parks, and Nashville, Ind., among others. They square danced until Bill couldn’t do it anymore.
Bill was preceded in death by 2 brothers; Emmett Robert (Bob) and Gerald, his wife Nancy, and their younger son Steve Seitz.
He is survived by his sister, Thelma Kelp of Nashville, Ind.; brother Larry Seitz of Switz City, Ind.; son Doug Seitz of Tampa, Fla., and wife Penny Seitz; also two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews in Brown County.
The funeral was held at Johnson Mortuary in Yuma, AZ on March 23. Interment was at Desert Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, beside Nancy.
