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| William A. Zerface |
| Date Of Birth: | February 14, 1937 |
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| Date Of Death: | May 12, 2011 |
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| Service Date: | May 16, 2011 |
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Bill died Thursday, May
12th, 2011 peacefully
surrounded by his loving family. He had suffered a short battle
with cancer.
Bill was born in Logansport, IN, to parents Maurice P.
Zerface and Myrtle A. (Williams) Zerface, now deceased. Also
deceased is his wife Judy C. (Puckett) Zerface.
Bill is survived by his six children Lori D. Stapleton
(Phil), Terri Jo Smithson, Juli Anne Forrest (Metro), Michael M,
Zerface (Judy), Brandon Zerface (Sarah) of Florida, Bob Zerface.
Ten Grandchildren and eight Great-Grandchildren. A brother James P.
Zerface (Wendy), Nashville, TN, 2 nieces (Janie Zerface (Jason) and
Kazzie Zerface, 1 nephew, Cris Zerface). Also survived by an
Aunt Mildred "Mickey" (Williams) Crouse (Bob), of
Florida.
Bill graduated from Monticello Roosevelt High School in 1954.
Immediately after graduation he joined the Navy and served until
1958. While in the Navy, he learned and taught Russian. Bill was
honor man for his company and spent two years on Guam Naval base
while serving in the Secret Service.
Bill graduated from Indiana University receiving a bachelor's
degree in English 1962 and received his Masters in Library Science
in 1975. While in school he worked at the Indiana University
Library and Cascades Golf Course.
Bill retired from Indiana University in 1999 (28 years of
service) and was the University's Contract Negotiator.
He loved Indiana University Basketball and was an avid 'Cubs'
fan. He also had a passion for writing and was a bi-weekly
writer for the Herald-Times Newspaper. Bill wrote his last
article about his Chemo-Club.
Bill and his brother Jim Zerface wrote Country Music and had
a number of hits including 3 top 10 songs on Billboard. You Lift Me
Up to Heaven was recorded by Reba McEntire who credits the song as
launching her career.
Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Bill Zerface
to the Olcott Cancer Center in Bloomington, IN. These
contributions will go towards cancer research --and a
cure!
His good friend Bob Hammel wrote: Bill moved me with
the first of his witty, perceptive columns during his period as a
regular volunteer columnist with the H-T. I'm not sure that I
did it with any of the others, though I should have on a few, but I
dropped him an immediate note telling him how much I liked that
column and looked forward to future ones. I mentioned I'd like to
meet him for lunch. That worked out, and we became friends, with
regular lunch get-togethers. An hour or so of wide-ranging,
laugh-filled conversation always happened. We found we had
mutual friends, from his growing-up days in Monticello. Every time
I found him delightful, with a great twinkle to augment his dry,
genuinely funny wit. When I read his typically understated final
column, I should have done more than just enjoy his humor and
style, should have grabbed the phone and re-initiated our lunches.
I missed that chance, just as I continue to miss those old lunches
-- and just as he missed out on what might have been his true
calling. The guy could really write. Funeral services for Bill will
be held Monday may 16th 2011 at 2:00PM at the Allen Funeral Home
4155 South Old Highway 37. Visitation will be held Sunday May 15th
2011 from 4:00PM until 6:00PM and Monday May 16th 2011 from 12 noon
until the time of the service at 2:00PM, also at Allen Funeral
Home. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfunearalhome.org.
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