June 4, 1932 - March 6, 2012

ELKHART — William C. "Bill" Peek, 79, of Elkhart, passed away Tuesday, March 6, 2012, at Elkhart General Hospital following a lengthy illness.

He was born June 4, 1932, in Elkhart to the late Chester and Mamie (Manning) Peek.

He married Barbara Ann Golden on July 27, 1957, in Elkhart. She survives along with sons Rick (Christina) Peek of Elkhart and Dennis Peek of Bradenton, Fla.; and daughters Jeri Peek, Jackie Peek, Karen (Dave) Hall, Sharon (Chuck) Van Acker and Linda Liechty, all of Elkhart. Thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren survive as well.

Bill was preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Isabella Peek; brothers Jim and Gene Peek; and sisters Stella Phillips and Patti Cory.

Bill retired from the Bendix Corp. and formerly worked for Jessen Manufacturing and Key Machine Tool. He was a United States Army veteran serving in the Korean War from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1955. Bill enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending time with his family and grandchildren.

Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Friends may call from 11 a.m. until service time. Pastor Gary Sheets will officiate. Military honors will be rendered at the conclusion of the service by the U.S. Army Honor Funeral Detail.

At his request, cremation will follow with entombment at a later date at Rice Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Ste. 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256. Online condolences may be sent to www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

---