Nov. 21, 1919 - Nov. 4, 2017

SOUTH BEND - William Don Linn, 97, passed away on Saturday, November 4, at the veterans nursing home in Biloxi, Miss.

Bill was the only child of Fred and Victoria Linn of Winamac. While working at a soda fountain in South Bend, he met Clarine Pruitt. Bill married Clarine in 1941 before he was drafted to serve in the 2nd Battalion, 417th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division in World War II. He earned three bronze stars as a messenger for General Patton in Europe.

After the war, Bill worked for L.O. Gates and sold cars for the rest of his career. He loved to talk about cars with his very good friend, Mike Kahle, whom he thought of as a son, and spent many hours polishing his prized 1977 Mercedes 450SL convertible.

Bill never thought of himself as old. He was independent and continued to drive into his 90s. In 2014 he and his son John visited the World War II memorial in Washington, DC, with Honor Flight.

Bill was a member of the St. Joseph Lodge #45 and Southlawn United Methodist, and a former member of Ridgedale Presbyterian.

Bill was the loving father of Sharon Mann, Richard (Nancy) Linn and John (Nanette) Linn; grandfather to Brent Keller, Bruce Keller, Thomas Serge, Eric Serge, Nicole Serge, Kevin O'Reilly, Patrick O'Reilly, Scott Linn and Kelly Linn; and great-grandfather of six. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Clarine Pruitt Linn, daughters, Betty Jo O'Reilly and Sue Ann Serge, and granddaughters, Kimberly Serge, Megan Linn and Michelle O'Reilly.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of William D. Linn on Friday, November 17, 2017, at Knollwood Country Club. A short service will begin at 2 pm followed by visitation with the family until 4 pm. A private burial is planned.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Honor Flight Northeast Indiana at www.hfnei.org or PO Box 5, Huntertown, IN 46748.

08.15.2021   djb