William Arvin, 91, of Delphi, passed away at 6:55 pm, Monday, April 18th at Monticello Healthcare after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bill was born May 31, 1924 in Burlington to the late George William (Will) and Gertrude Louise Hale Arvin. He was the youngest of 3 siblings, Ina Brown (husband: Harold), Clarence Arvin (wife: Mary) and Irene Landis (husband: William).

Shortly after Bill graduated from the Rossville Class of 1942 and at the age of 19, he entered the Army. He received his basic training at Camp Swift, Texas, where he received sharp shooting medals for rifle and pistol shooting. From Camp Swift, Texas he was transferred to Illinois Institute of Technology where he was taking an engineering course.

Before he could finish his engineering course, Bill was called for active duty. His 96th Infantry Division arrived in Hawaii on July 31st, 1944. He was soon given the duty of running communication lines to the front combat infantry and ranked Communication Sergeant. His unit, the 381st, fought bloody battles on Leyte, Okinawa and arrived in Mindoro, Philippines August 1st, 1945 where he was stationed at the end of war. On February 6, 1946 he arrived back in the USA.

William received ribbons for the American Theater and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater with 2 Bronze Stars. He also received medals for Good Conduct, the Bronze Arrowhead and the World War II Victory Medal. On January 10th, 2001 the 96th Infantry Division received the Presidential Unit Citation for its heroic service during the Battle of Okinawa.

Bill married Alice Pender on December 31, 1948. She preceded him in death on February 15, 2012. They resided in Pyrmont before moving to North Webster to work for Bill’s brother-in-law and sister, Ina and Harold Brown. They owned and operated the Brown Molasses Company that produced a feed additive for livestock.

In 1965, Bill and Alice moved to rural Delphi and purchased a farm. They raised livestock and crops. During the off season Bill worked for Myer’s Shell Station pumping gas. When the opportunity arose, he and John Hufford started working together trucking. Bill later started his own trucking business and retired from trucking to farm full time in 1968 then, retired from farming in 2001.

In their later years they spent the winters in Leesburg, Florida, where they loved to fish and spend time with their Florida friends. Due to declining health Bill and Alice moved to Carroll Manor where they resided from 2008 to 2012.

Bill greatly loved his family and the times he spent with them. The family get-togethers, fishing and camping were the highlight of his life. He was our family’s hero and will be greatly missed.

Celebration of Life will for William will be held at the Carroll County Court House, 101 West Main Street, Delphi, IN 46923 on Sunday, May 1st at 4:00pm with calling starting at 2:00pm. He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Pittsburgh Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery. In lieu of flowers that family has asked a donation be made to Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to Disabled American Veterans, dav.org, P.O. Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.