William "Bill" H. Andrews

William “Bill” H. Andrews, 94, of Mishawaka entered heavenly rest on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born on October 17, 1929, in Bloomfield, IN to the late William T. and Mabel G. (Williams) Andrews and married his high school sweetheart, Vera B. Stone on December 19, 1947. She preceded him in death in 2021.

Bill is survived by his sons, Gerald (Darlene) Andrews of Vero Beach, FL, Brian (Stacey) Andrews of Granger, and Keith (Katrina) Andrews of Niles, a daughter-in-law Nancy Andrews of Granger, ten grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by a son, Raymond and his siblings Carl Lee and James F. Andrews, and Dorothy Vandevender, and grandson, Phillip Andrews. He is survived by one sister, Nina (Andrews) Mengedoht, and with brothers-in-law, Ken (Sue) Stone, Robert Rynerson, and sisters-in-law, Ruth Ann (Carl) Murphy and Sherrilyn Stone. Bill and his family are especially thankful for Barbara Cribbs, who loving cared for both Bill and Vera in their final years.

Together with his beloved Vera, Bill embarked on a journey of entrepreneurship, steering the helm of Motor Haven Motel in Osceola for nearly a quarter-century, and later joined forces with his son, Ray, contributing his skills to Warehouse Salvage in Osceola. Bill was an intensely quiet man except when his eyes twinkled, and his lip curled before sharing his dry wit. A true handyman, Bill's talents extended far beyond business ventures. He assisted numerous family members in the construction, renovation, and repair of their homes. Bill was captivated by the timeless beauty of classic Western movies, often embracing the adventures of Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. His distinctive style included donning cowboy boots and buckles, a reflection of his admiration for the rugged heroes of the silver screen. Bill's legacy was woven into the fabric of Mishawaka and South Bend, where he traversed every street with unparalleled familiarity. From his early years delivering milk and navigating school bus routes to his tenure as a taxi driver, Bill's knowledge of the city was unparalleled. His dedication to his community and his unwavering work ethic will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.

Bill loved animals and his “grand-pets” of birds and dogs who he loved to watch.

A time to visit with the family and celebrate a wonderful life is scheduled for 4-7pm on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home, Mishawaka with a service scheduled for 10:30 on Saturday, March 23, 2024. A private burial will follow Monday morning at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be sent to the Ruff & Tumble Dog Park, PO Box 760, Niles, MI 49120. To light a virtual candle, share a memory from Bill’s life, or offer a message of comfort for his family visit the Tribute Tab.

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