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
Thursday, May 1, 2025
- Allen Co. task force targets target sex and human traffickers
- Blessing of the Bikes, May 4
- Metzger honored at 2025 Black Swamp Council meeting
- Volunteer invitation for Bluffton Pathway Count in May
- Pirate tennis edges Ottawa-Glandorf
- Bluffton EMS station staffing goes 24/7 on May 1
- You are what you eat: Link to immune system
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Observation deck added to Motter Park cascading pools project
- Bluffton Women in Business meet May 15
- Four sportsmen stock 200 trout at Buckeye Lake
- Pirate girls, boys 2nd at Minster track quad
- Pirate baseball win vs. Riverdale
- Pirate softball loss vs. Riverdale
- Field reports from NW Ohio wildlife officers