William Milner Waddell 88, of Frankfort, IN, died at 9:08 a.m. Saturday, May 01, 2010 at Wesley Manor Retirement Community, following a prolonged illness. Born April 13, 1922 in Warren Township in Clinton County, IN to the late W. Waldo & Mary L. (Milner) Waddell. He married Jane Young on October 22, 1947 in Muncie, IN and she preceded him in death on January 11, 1998. Mr. Waddell attended Beard Elementary, Rossville High School and was a 1940 graduate of Frankfort High School. He was a 1947 Ball State Graduate and received his M.S. from Butler in 1951. He also attended classes at Western Michigan, Columbia, Michigan State, Western Illinois, Indiana University, Purdue University, George Washington University of St. Louis and University of Singapore. A lifelong Clinton County resident, he taught High School Social Studies at the Community Schools of Frankfort for 40 years, retiring in 1987. A veteran of WWII serving in the Navy, he attained the rank of Lt. Commander and was Commanding Officer of the USS LC (FF) 656, serving from 1943-1946 in the Pacific Theater. He also retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve. His memberships include, First Evangelical Presbyterian Church where he was lifetime member and past deacon, the American Legion, lifetime member of N E A, member Indiana Classroom Teachers, and Frankfort Classroom Teachers where he was president 2 years. He was past member of the Elks, Moose, Frankfort Country Club and served as City Councilman for 36 years.
Visitation and Services
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 6, 2010 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Tom Jameson will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 5th from 3-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 352 W. Clinton St., Frankfort. Envelopes will be available.
Survived by:
2 Daughters: Kristen Gordon of Plymouth, IN and Karen Paxson of Greenwood, IN
1 Son: William Y. ‘Chip’ (Letty) Waddell of Concord, NC
1 Sister: Virginia Isley of Crown Point, IN
9 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren
Preceded by:
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane, brother, Howard and sister, Pat McCreary.
A fine person has left us and will be so missed. I remember Bill and our days at Frankfort Senior High. He was a mentor, friend, and an excellent all around guy. Loved his stories, his caring attitude and his ability to do so much for kids and our community. Always looked forward to Bill’s gifts of garden items which we’d find on our doorstep ever so often.
Enjoyed visiting with him while he was a resident at the Manor and he’d always say, “Kers you better not wait too long to come back to see me”. He will be missed.
Fondly,
Gary and Jan Kersey
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Facebook Twitter GoogleThis man was a great teacher; he had the ability to be challenging without being intimidating. He was ornery and lovable. His smile will never be reproduced.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleTo Karen – our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. He was my favorite teacher. He be missed.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleBill will be missed dearly, he truly was a great guy. I think of him fondly each spring when the rhubarb is coming up.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleSorry to read about Mr.Waddell, he was a good teacher. I graduated in 1970.
Paula Gibson Miller
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Facebook Twitter GoogleBill was a fine human being, he was tough, but fair. I enjoyed working with Bill in the summer on construction jobs.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleMy condolences to the Waddell family. Mr. Waddell was a wonderful teacher and will be missed.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleHeaven just received a “big butter and eggs man from the midwest”…God Bless, Sailor Bill!
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Facebook Twitter GoogleBill was the first teacher I ever knew as a person outside the classroom. When the Waddell’s lived at the end of North Columbia, I was part of the neighborhood ‘gang’ of kids who actually played outside all day, and Chip’s yard was grand-central station for everyone. Mr. Waddell’s classrooms were always lively–he taught history without opening a book because he had lived so much of it himself. He supported me as a student and as a person. I’ll never forget the time when Mr. Waddell hosted the Key Club Class of 1974 seniors at Morris Bryant–and he passed around a box of cigars after we ate dinner. He will always be one of a kind, a solid citizen who led by example and with his wife, raised three great children. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleWhat a wonderful teacher who taught his class as he lived life. He will be missed.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleI’m sorry for the Waddells. I enjoyed him in class and at Sunday school. He was a very warm and intelligent man, and I’m sure you were all very proud of him.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleBill was a great friend and mentor in my first year of teaching which was his last year at Frankfort. Bill was always a familiar and friendly face at the softball games where I coached his granddaughter, Jill. Bill met strangers and departed them as friends.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleKaren and family,
My condolences to you all. Be gladdened by all the lives he touched and how he will be remembered by so many. I have such fond memories of him at ALL kinds of sporting events and lounging at the Paxson’s pool area. He was a genuinely kind man with whom I always enjoyed sharing a laugh. His vegetables graced the Wilkerson table for many a summer. You have cause to celebrate his life well-lived!
With love and sympathy…Karen
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Facebook Twitter GoogleMy favorite teacher, amazing man. He served his country, his city and his students with all his heart. My prayers are with his children and their families. May the beautiful memories bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleMr. Waddell was a good teacher; with a wonderful sense of humor and and a gift of teaching, what I thought, was a boring subject!!! I have wonderful memories of him.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleOur hearts go out to the Waddell family. Mr. Waddell was the type of teacher who remained in your heart even after you graduated. Our children have heard many stories from our days in his class.
You will be missed, Mr. Waddell.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleA true American treasure has passed. Sympathies to you Chip and your family. Class of 78.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleMy sympathy to the Waddell Family. I had Mr. Waddell in High School. He made learning enjoyable. He was a good and kind man and will be missed.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleSailor Bill. I have many fond memories of classes with Mr. Waddell. He really tried hard, and with some success, to get us interested in things outside Indiana. I only remember a few of my teachers over the years, and Mr. Waddell is one of them. I ended up being a career sailor, and I guess his positive influence informed that decision as well, and it was good for me. He definitely left the place a little better than he found it. I can only hope for a similar outcome. Fair winds, and we’ll meet up in the next port of call!
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Facebook Twitter GoogleI remember Bill as a great teacher and he will always be remembered and missed.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleA great man who not only taught you social studies, but also taught you about life and the history that was made in his lifetime. A great lose is being felt through out Clinton County. God bless and be with his family in this time. REST IN PEACE Mr Waddlell You will be missed.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleBill was my teacher both at Kyger Grade School and Frankfort High School. We shared the same birthday, and on my 12th birthday he played a practical joke on me which I immediately turned around and played one on him. We laughed about that for years when we ran into each other. I always enjoyed being in his classroom, he made learning fun. My deepest sympathy to his family.
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Facebook Twitter Google“J.B.’s Grandpa,” as we called him, was an enjoyable man to be around at the baseball games when J.B. and Kurt played. Also at the Center Grove basketball games. We missed seeing him around when he no longer made the trip down. I think about our trip around Amish Country with him every time I go up to our friend’s cottage up near Emma. The three of us had an Amish adventure that day. We always enjoyed the yummy, fresh produce he brought with him, too!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids, Karen. Your family had the same relationship as ours does with their Grandpa and I know he will be greatly missed by you all. Sorry we are in Memphis and could not pay our respects.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleMy heartfelt sympathy to you, Kris, the kids and families. Although I didn’t know your Dad, WOW! What a great guy he was from reading the many beautifully written comments about him. Love, thoughts, and prayers from Annette. Hope to see you in Plymouth on July 13.
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Facebook Twitter GoogleChip and family,
So sorry for your loss, Mr. Waddell was a very special person.
I always wished I had him for a teacher but was lucky that my sisters did and shared his stories. I knew him as an excellent father to my friend Chip, my sympathies to the family, Jim
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