June 19, 1937 - Aug. 20, 2012

ELKHART — William Dane Hutchison, 75, of Elkhart, passed away Monday, Aug. 20, 2012, in Salt Lake City.

He was known to family and friends as Bill or Hutch. He was born June 19, 1937, in South Bend to the late Jesse Dane and Elsie L. (Walters) Hutchison.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mary; his children, Michele, Michael, Tiffany, Wendy, Nicole, Christopher and Tony; and his loving 20 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Bill was a 1955 graduate of Elkhart High School and joined the U.S. Navy. After serving our country for eight years, he was honorably discharged. He moved back to Elkhart to raise his family and work on the railroad, from which he retired in 1999 after 35 years working as an electrician, diesel inspector and trouble shooter, starting with New York Central, then Penn Central, Conrail and finally Norfolk & Southern.

Bill provided countless hours serving his community and church. He loved reading, playing on his computer and writing his life stories in journals, which he read to his grandchildren. He also enjoyed collecting knick-knacks that they loved to play with. Bill was a simple and kindhearted man who would help anyone he saw in need.

Services celebrating Bill's life will begin with visitation at noon and a funeral service at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Private family graveside services will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, with military honors provided by the United States Navy Funeral Honor Guard.

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