William Bliler

William G. Bliler, 79, of Decatur, died Tuesday, September 21, 2004, in his home. A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm Monday, September 27 in the Blue Chapel at Westminster Presbyterian Church, following a private family burial. Tanzyus-Logan Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Kemmerer Village, Assumption, Illinois.

Bill was born in December of 1924 in Decatur, the son of Cal and M. Ethel Holman Bliler. Upon graduation from Decatur High School in 1943, he was inducted into the Navy V-12 Program, and attended Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, the University of Michigan, and Harvard University. He was commissioned as an Ensign in the Supply Corps and served a tour of duty at the 15th Naval District Headquarters in Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.

Following an honorable discharge in 1946, he returned to the University of Michigan and graduated with a B. S. in Business Administration. He joined Purity Baking Company (Sunbeam Bread) and worked in their Champaign and Decatur plants.

On October 25, 1947 he married Joan M. Clark of Decatur, daughter of Lynn W. and Edith Schenck Clark.

Bill left Purity Baking Company in 1952 and later joined Marvel Schebler Division of Borg Warner. He ended his service there in the Personnel Department, and rejoined Purity Baking Company in 1960, as the Director of Purchasing and Personnel, remaining there until 1986, when the company was purchased by Interstate Brands Corp.

Bill was a member of SAE fraternity and a 67-year member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he was a former Deacon and Chancel Choir member.

He is survived by his wife, his daughter, Jennifer L. Orange (Mrs. Michael), grandsons Jeffrey C. Young of St. Louis, Missouri, and Nicholas W. Young of Decatur, step grandchildren Jennifer J. Orange of Peoria and Steven M. Orange of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and nephew Doug C. Eshelman of Decatur. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard C. Bliler.

Bill wanted to thank his loving family, his friends, and his former business associated for a good life.

Please sign the family guestbook.