Bill Bales

Bill Bales, 85, of Williamsburg, passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 13, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.


Born August 14, 1924 in Henry County, he was the son of William H., Sr. and Prudence Cline Bales. Bill graduated from Mooreland High School in 1942. He competed on the school baseball and track teams and was a county champion. He moved to the Fountain City area in 1958, where he farmed and drove a bus for Northeastern Schools. He also ran the time clock at Northeastern basketball games for 37 years.

Bill was an avid horse-puller. He competed nationally in the Draft Horse Pulling Association and was the only puller to compete 20 straight years in the international competition in Detroit, Michigan.


Bill attended the Webster United Methodist Church.


Bill will be missed by his wife, Pat Bales, of Williamsburg; son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Linda Bales, of Coledale, Colorado; daughter and son-in-law, Debby and Rick Ahaus, of Richmond; daughter, Krista Retter, of Fountain City; daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Steve Werking, of Hagerstown; 7 grandchildren, Jackie Reynolds, Jon Bales, Craig Jenkins, David Jenkins, Josh Bales, Chris Werking and Cole Retter; 6 great-grandchildren, Zach Bales, Nathan Bales, Hannah Reynolds, Dillon Jenkins, Ava Bales and Courtney Jenkins; sisters, Mary Lou Manifold, of Muncie, and Marilyn Fellers and her husband, Marland, of Mt. Summit, and several nieces and nephews.


Bill was preceded in death by his parents and 1 granddaughter, Breanna Bales.


A funeral ceremony will be conducted by Rev. Max Knight and Pastor Bill Remley at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 16 at the Smith & McQuiston Funeral Home, 321 US 27 South, Fountain City. Interment will follow in Webster Cemetery.


Family and friends may gather for visitation from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, April 15, at the funeral home.


Memorial contributions may be sent to the Webster United Methodist Church, 3195 Webster Road, Webster, Indiana 47392.