Willis (Bill) Boutwell 1924-2012
Willis (Bill) Boutwell, 87, died at 4:14 a.m. on March 6, 2012, at Hilty Memorial Home, Pandora.
Mr. Boutwell was born May 26, 1924, in Lafayette, Ohio, to John and Ethel Shrider Boutwell, who preceded him in death. On Oct. 16, 1948, he married Wanda Mae Claypool and she survives.
Mr. Boutwell was a member of Riley Creek Baptist Church, Bluffton, where he served as a deacon and as a member of numerous committees.
He was the proprietor of Arthur's Round Table Restaurant in Lima, Ohio from 1949 till 1965. For the next 25 years, he was an investment broker for the Investor's Diversified Financial Services now known as AmeriPrise.
Mr. Boutwell was a 1943 graduate of Ada High School. Following high school, he served in the United States Marine Corp during World War II and the United States Navy Reserves during the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of The American Legion Post 0536 of Gilboa, and The Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 09381, Ada.
Survivors include three daughters: Gay Lee (Ken) Martin of Elletsville, Ind., Elaine (Bruce) Sommers of Delphos, and Patsy (Carey) Arthur of Pandora; nine grandchildren: Bryan (Candie) Burkholder, Chad (Kelly) Burkholder, Tiana Burkholder, Jennifer Leonard, Kristen (T J) Lewis, Shawn (Natalie) Sommers, Chris (Sara) Sommers, Annie (Michael) Gill, and Amle Arthur; thirteen great-grandchildren: Madeleine, Meghan, Kyle, Sierra, Jada, Emileigh, Ellie, Cora, Blake, Brody, Colt, Carli, and Ailey.
Funeral services will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at Riley Creek Baptist Church, Bluffton. Rev. David Lanquist will officiate. Burial will be in Hasson Cemetery, Van Buren Township with military rites by the Veteran of Foreign Wars Honor Guard.
Friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday at Chiles-Laman Funeral and Cremation Services, Bluffton. Memorial contributions may be made to Riley Creek Baptist Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.
Stories Posted This Week
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Friday, October 9, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 9
- Pirate girls soccer loss vs. St. Marys
- Pirate volleyball sweeps Carey
- “The Trumpet Player” sculpture at Bluffton University receives conservation grant
- October 9 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Plenty of action at Oct 10 Dillinger robbery reenactment and motorcycle show
- Caitlyn Couch junior piano recital, October 16
- Bluffton community survey opens for Active Transportation Plan
Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines on Thursday, October 8
- St. John Bible Church to host "Refocus on Purpose" workshop
- Royal riches: Gout
- Has Bluffton made a birder out of you?
- BPL Afterschool activity: Curious Kids Club
- Book and pizza tasting at Bluffton Public Library
- Final 50 for 250 performance at BPL
- Walking through the Suter Corn Maze
- Resident feedback sought for Regional Transportation Plan
- Bluffton University honors three for service, achievement and leadership