Mr. William Henry Howard Peters, 95, a lifelong resident of Decatur County, died Friday, March 15, 2019, at Aspen Place Health Campus, Greensburg. He had been in gradual failing health for the past few months. Born April 19, 1923, in Franklin County, he was the son of William and Flora Elizabeth (Blake) Peters. He was united in marriage to Bernice Marie Schoentrup November 29, 1946, in Aurora, and she preceded him in death on April 11, 2014. He was a previous member of New Point Christian Church and was a current member of Batesville Christian Church. He was a member of the New Point Masonic Lodge #255, and the Greensburg Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5584.
He was a 1941 graduate of New Point High School. He was inducted into the United States Army on February 12, 1943 and participated in World War 2 in the Southern France Campaign. He was a scout in the 44th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop and was wounded in active duty on November 29, 1944. After hospitalization in both England and the Indianapolis VA hospital, he was honorably discharged on February 21,1946.
He was a well-known farmer and neighbor in southern Decatur County near the community of Smyrna and was a skilled master machinist at Chambers Aircraft Company and General Electric at Shelbyville before retiring and building and beginning his own machine shop next to his farmstead.
He is survived by his four children: William L. (Rose Marie) Peters, Murfreesboro, Tenn., Cynthia M. (Peters) Grote and Kenneth N. (Rita) Peters, Greensburg, and Betsy L. (Tony) Baugh, Napoleon, along with 12 grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. He is survived by one sister and two brothers, Evelyn Ruth (Peters) Ainsworth, John Harold Peters, and Donald Lewis Peters.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother and four sisters, Maude Katharine (Peters) Hazelrigg, Thelma Avis (Peters) Overholser, Dale Sherman Peters, Mary Margaret (Peters) Maynard, Norma Lee Peters.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 20, from 3-7 p.m. at Batesville Christian Church, (1294 Columbus Ave, Batesville, IN 47006) immediately followed by funeral services at 7pm. There will be a Masonic Service at 2:30 prior to visitation. Military rites conducted by the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271 and the Batesville V.F.W. Post #3183. will follow the funeral at the church. Private burial will be at Kingston Cemetery, Decatur County.
In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts may be given to the Batesville Christian Church in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com.