William E. Norman
William E. Norman, 85, of Springfield, died at 12:55 a.m. Friday, January 23, 2009, in Mercy St. John's Center. He was born on May 7, 1923, in Jeffersonville, Indiana the son of Paul H. and Anna (Voyles) Norman.
He retired from the Springfield News-Sun where he was a reporter for many years and later retired from the J.C. Penney Company. He graduated from Bloomington, Indiana High School in 1942 and was a 1955 graduate of Wittenberg University where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. He attended Indiana University, was a former member of the Springfield YMCA where he served on the Board of Directors, past president of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, served 27 years on the U.S. Small Business Administration Columbus District Advisory Council and organized the Springfield Service Corps or retired executives, member of the Assistant Secretary of Defense National Committee for support of the guard and reserves, Kiwanis Club, former member of the Friends of Mercy Board at Mercy Medical Center, past vice-president of the Education Commission and Parish Council at St. Teresa Catholic Church where he was a member and usher, Springfield Deanery Council, Catholic Social Action Committee, past vice-president of the Cincinnati Archdiocesan Council of The Laity, past Faithful Navigator of the Monsignor Buckley Assembly and Knights of Columbus Council #624.
He was a World War II veteran where he served as a Navy Hospital Corpsman who volunteered for duty with the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942. His Ribbons included, the Presidential Unit Citation with one star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon with two stars and the Guam Liberation Ribbon. He completed Boot Training at the Marine Base in San Diego and served in the South Pacific. He organized the Marine Corps League Detachment 963 in 1996 and served as its First Commandant in 1997. He was awarded their three highest national awards that included, Recruiter of The Year, Distinguished Citizen and Distinguished Service. He was a life member of the First, Third and Sixth Marine Division Associations, the Marine Corps League, where he was a National Director of Public Relations and a member of their Military Order of Devil Dogs, V.F.W. Post 1031 where he served on the Guard, past Commander of the American Legion Post 362, Amvets Post 25 and D.A.V. Chapter 13.
He was active in the Boy Scouts and was an Associate Advisor of Explorer Post 6. He was presented the Silver Beaver award in 1972 by the Tecumseh Council (the highest honor the council presents to volunteer scouters). A member of the Council Executive Board of Directors and a member of the Lagonda (Clark County) District Committee.
Survivors include five daughters, Margaret (Robert) Tipple of Columbus, Patti Kay Norman (Paul Carr) of Fredericksburg, VA, Billie Norman (Beverly Thames) of Redwood City, California, Mary Kay Weller of Lima and Rosemary Hulej of Eure, NC; son, William R. (Renee) Norman of Albuquerque, New Mexico; two sisters, twin, Anita (Charles) O'Bannon of Austin, Texas and Paula (Fred) Armstrong of Indianapolis, Indiana; three granddaughters, Allison, Amanda and Kelsey Weller; grandson, Jason (Kristin) Tipple; great grandson Ryan Robert Tipple and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Marguerite (Ross) on February 13, 2001. They were married on October 6, 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia, where they were stationed in the Navy.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday in the Conroy Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at St. Teresa Church. Burial will be in St. Bernard Cemetery.
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