ELKHART -- William George "Bill" Starnal has moved on to smile with the angels to the glory of God. Bill, 71, of Elkhart, passed away on Friday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008, at Eastlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

He was born on Jan. 30, 1937, in Mishawaka, Ind., to the late Erick and Edna (Benninghoff) Starnal. On May 13, 1994, in Ft. Myers, Fla., he married the former Cindy Dalke, who survives along with his sons, Cary (Beverly) Starnal of Westerville, Ohio, and Jeff (Kris) Holmes of Elkhart. Surviving as well are one daughter, Shannon (Doug) Hylkema of Elkhart, and his grandchildren, Anthony, John and Alexandria Hylkema and Joe and Brady Holmes, all of Elkhart.

Bill was also looking forward to the birth of his second granddaughter arriving soon.

He is also survived by one sister, Lois Wilson of Niles, Mich., and his brother, Erick Starnal of Ann Arbor, Mich. Several nieces and nephews survive as well.

Bill graduated with honors and at the top of his class at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Mich., with a degree in marketing. He proudly served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1963.

For 25 years, Bill worked closely with the federal government, the ICC and other regulatory agencies while employed at Morgan Drive Away Inc. After leaving Morgan Drive Away, he became the regional director for Barrett Mobile Home Transport.

After suffering a major stroke in 2006, Bill retired from Macy's Department Store, where he was a "Diamond Star" seller for the men's fine clothing department.

Bill was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and a 50-year member of the Dowagiac (Mich.) Elks Lodge 889.

Bill will be remembered for his gentle demeanor, remarkable memory, generosity and his unbelievable positive attitude as well as his faith and strong belief in God, zest for discussing politics, being with his wife and family, gourmet cooking, boating and vacationing on Sanibel Island, Fla.

For all the things that Bill lived for, he will be dearly missed and cherished by his loving wife and soul mate, Cindy, and his family and friends, who knew that all you had to do is turn to him on any given day and ask how he was, and his reply, of course, was "fabulous." If anyone could turn a bad day into a good one, it would be Bill.

We celebrate his life by inviting family and friends to gather from 4 to 8 p.m. today, Dec. 15, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, where a vigil service will be held at 4:30 p.m., and a half-hour prior to the 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16, Mass of Christian Burial at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1405 N. Main St., Elkhart. Father William "Bill" Sullivan of St. Thomas will officiate.

Cremation will follow the Mass with burial at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, Ind.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks to direct memorials in Bill's name to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

To share a memory of Bill or to send a condolence to the family visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.