ELKHART — William D. "Bill" Samuels, 83, of Elkhart, died Wednesday morning (Aug. 24, 2009) in his home. He was born Dec. 7, 1925, in Michigan City to William W. Samuels and Ruth Samuels.

He married Theresa Ann Walton on Aug. 5, 1950. She died on March 4, 2004.

Bill Samuels is survived by four children, Theresa Dianne (John) Schutz, Barbara (Denny) Foster, Douglas (Penny) Samuels and Scott (Suzy) Samuels, all of Elkhart; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II serving from 1943 to 1946.

He graduated from Indiana University (Bloomington) in 1949 with a B.A. in marketing.

Mr. Samuels was an avid golfer and life member of Elk's Lodge No. 425 (Elkhart), past president of the Elkhart Civic Theater, and the 2002 recipient of the American Advertising Federation's Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor he considered his career "hole in one!" A proficient marketing professional, Bill Samuels started his career working for the renowned advertising agency Erwin Wasey, Ruthrauff & Ryan (Pittsburgh) with clients in Boston, Philadelphia and New York City. But Bill was a true Hoosier at heart and returned to Indiana, settling in Elkhart in 1963.

From there he left his mark on the Elkhart business landscape having worked with many well-known local companies including Juhl Advertising, Coachman Industries, NIBCO and Wells Cargo.

Many considered Bill Samuels to be a marketing renaissance man having worked both sides of the corporate desk — from agency creative to advertising director to sales management as well as an accomplished entrepreneur in his own right. A graveside service with full military honors by the U.S. Army Burial Detail Team and DAV Chapter No. 19 will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 at the Prairie Street Cemetery Veterans Section, located at 401 E. Hively Ave. Elkhart. Following the graveside service friends and family are invited to celebrate Bill's life at a reception on Friday, Sept. 4th, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Christiana Creek Country Club, 116 W. Bristol St., Elkhart.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc.

Billings Funeral Home 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is assisting with arrangements where online condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.