Fennimore – William L. (Bill) Barnes, age 87, died on Saturday evening Nov. 29, 2014 at William S. Middleton Memorial VA Hospital in Madison. William was born on Feb. 10, 1927 in Switzerland County, Indiana the son of Harold and Aldean (Mier) Barnes. He married Charlotte Whitish (Kabele) on March 29, 1980.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army serving from May 14, 1945 until being honorably discharged on Dec. 6, 1946. He worked as a dairy farmer and cattle buyer. He worked very hard traveling the country buying and selling cattle along with working with CBR of Fennimore. Bill loved spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren, great grandchildren and his dog Abby. Bill also enjoyed returning home to Indiana to walk the family farm, loved to go fishing, and visiting with numerous friends at cattle sales.
Bill is survived by his wife Charlotte of Fennimore, daughter Brenda Barnes of Hokah, MN, grandson Joey Barnes of MN, sister Hazel Heath of Madison, IN, two nieces; Beverly (Tom) Ringwald of Madison, IN, and Debbie Diershaw of Dallas, TX, three step-children; Donna (Jeff) Henkel of Fennimore, Sandy (Rick) Turner of Ovett, MS, and Ron (Pix) Whitish of Fennimore, step-daughter-in-law Jackie Collins of Belton, TX, eight step-grandchildren; Shawna (Bill) U’ren of Round Rock, TX, Aaron (Erika) Henkel of McKinney, TX, Brian (Nichole) Glynn of Waunakee, WI, Andrew Weber of Petal, MS, Adam (Connie) Whitish of Belton, TX, Cody (Katie) Whitish of Belton, TX, Travis Whitish of Lancaster, WI, Tyler Whitish of Platteville, and 14 step-great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, former wife Joyce (Napp) Barnes, and step son Daniel Whitish
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wed. Dec. 3, 2014 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore with Pastor Charles Miller of St. Peter Lutheran Church officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Prairie Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday evening Dec. 2, 2014 at the funeral home in Fennimore and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service on Wednesday morning.