ELKHART -- William E. "Bill" Kress, 79, of Guadalajara, Mexico, formerly of Elkhart, died of congestive heart failure at 7 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 11, 2008) in Guadalajara.

He was born March 13, 1929, in Exeter, Ontario, Canada, to William R. and Eugenie (Muir) Kress.

He married Itza Kress. She survives, along with three daughters, Wendy Kress of Elkhart, Kathryn (Daniel) Schott of Elkhart and Kimberly Kress of Guadalajara; two sons, Randy (Beth) Kress of Keller, Texas, and Kevin Kress of Guadalajara; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two brothers, Ted Kress of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Bob (Carleen) Kress of London, Ontario; and his ex-wife and friend, Donna Kress of Elkhart.

Cremation took place in Mexico. A local memorial service will take place at a later date. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is handling local arrangements.

Mr. Kress was a retired sales representative with Intertek, GM Industries and Pan American Screw Corp. in Elkhart. He was a former bagpiper with the Lorne Scots Pipe Band in Milton, Ontario, and the Caledonia Pipe Band in Mishawaka.

He enjoyed traveling, sports and was a Chicago Cubs fan. Mr. Kress was known as Santa Claus to the children of Guadalajara.

Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association.

Memories may be shared or condolences sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.