GOSHEN — William E. "Bill" Sylvester, 81, of Goshen, passed away Monday evening, March 16, in his residence, following a brief illness.

Bill was born Jan. 14, 1934, in Elkhart, to the late Paul and Edith Sylvester.

He married Lexie Gorsuch on Nov. 30, 2001, in Goshen.

She survives, as well as his children, Bryan (Cheryl) Sylvester of Sinking Spring, Pa., and Jeanette (Brian) Sweigart of Hilliard, Ohio; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; stepchildren David (Gennie) Gorsuch of Corunna, Ricky Gorsuch of Columbia City, Steven Gorsuch of Goshen and Katrina (Greg) Wysong of Kimmell; eight stepgrandchildren; and 20 great-stepgrandchildren.

Bill was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey Sylvester, brother Paul Sylvester and sister Shirley M. VanAcker.

Bill retired from Vincent Bach, where he worked in production for over 30 years. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1957. He was a member of the Elkhart Moose Lodge, Eagles and DAV Chapter 19.

Bill loved dancing, especially ballroom and square dancing, with the Happy Squares. He enjoyed playing golf and bowling.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 20, at Billings Funeral Home. Services for Bill will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, at Billings Funeral Home, with visitation for an hour prior. The Rev. Harlan Steffen of Wawasee Lakeside Chapel will officiate. The service will conclude with military honors by the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard and DAV 19. In keeping with Bill's wishes, cremation will follow, with placement of his cremated remains in Rice Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials may be given to American Lung or the American Heart Association.

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