William Joel Fields

William Fields, 76, retired Beckett Bronze Company employe, died unexpectedly Friday afternoon at his residence, 1328 N. Walnut St.

Born in Celina, Ohio, he worked for over 20 years at Indiana Bridge Co. He served with the Army in France during World War I.

He was a past president, secretary and treasurer of Local 1200, International Machinists Union. At one time he was a member of long standing in Moose Lodge 33.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Helen) Bartlett and Mrs. Basil (Joyce) Renbarger, both of Muncie; two sons, Charles V. Fields, Muncie, and Ralph E. Fields, Vienna, Va.; three brothers, Clesent and Robert E. Fields, both of Muncie, and Chester Fields, Los Angeles; two sisters, Mrs. Opal McDowell, Muncie, and Mrs. Mary Kingerey, Albany; and 12 grandchildren.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Monday in Gethsemane United Methodist Church with Rev. B. Willis Gierhart and Rev. K. E. Maynard officiating. Entombment will follow in Elm Ridge Mausoleum. Friends may call at Meeks Mortuary after 2 p.m. Sunday and at the church one hour prior to service time.

From Grandson Jerry written 2 24 2018 100 years ago last month, my grandfather, William J. Fields, joined the army and served with the 498th Army Aero squadron during WW 1. I have his diary that he kept while serving in England and France. Photo from Jerry's collection.