2/13/1936 - 5/9/2017
William “Bill” Daugherty, Jr. age 81 a resident of Berne, Indiana and a
former Penn Twp. resident passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Lutheran
Hospital in Fort Wayne. He was a 1954 graduate of New Palestine High School
and a 1958 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Agricultural
Science and Economics. Bill had a passion for farming, and operated a
thriving dairy operation for many years In Penn Township, Jay County. He was
an avid Purdue University basketball fan and spent many hours watching
basketball live and on TV. He was a veteran of the US Army National Guard.
In 1967, Bill started his first Southern Gospel singing group, “The
Christian Brothers”. In the early 1980’s the group evolved into the current
quartet known as “The Christianaires”. They traveled extensively throughout
the Midwest and Southern parts of the United States. The Christianaires
recorded many albums over the years and were in the process of finishing
their latest release. Bill’s love for gospel music was his great passion,
and he was happiest when singing for the Lord. September of this year would
have marked his fifty year anniversary of ministry in music.
William
Daugherty was born February 13, 1936 in Indianapolis, Indiana the son of
William Daugherty, Sr. and Mary (Schelm) Daugherty. He was married in 1957
to Pauline Guard and who passed away in 2001. In 2002 he married Eileen
Sprunger.
Survivors Include:
His beloved wife- Eileen
Daugherty, Berne, Indiana
2 Sons- Ron Daugherty, Indianapolis,
Indiana
Don Daugherty, Plymouth, Indiana
2 Step daughters-
Carol Sokolsky and Gloria Newman, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma
1 Sister-
Georgia Ambrose, Ft. Myers, Florida
2 Grandchildren, 5 Step
Grandchildren and 5 Step Great Grandchildren
He was preceded in death
by his parents, his wife, a sister- Mary Esther Ryan, a grandson-Bryce
Daugherty, and a step grandson-Jeffrey Pyle.
Visitation will be held
from 3-7pm Friday in the Faith Evangelical Church, 9496 W CR. 200 S.
Dunkirk, Indiana.
Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in
the Faith Evangelical Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Pastor Harold Miller will officiate the services and burial will follow in
the IOOF Twin Hills Cemetery in Pennville.
Memorials may be directed
to Faith Evangelical Church, Gideon’s International, or The Christianaires
ministry.
Williamson & Spencer Funeral Home; 05/10/17
Contributed by Jim Cox
Buried in IOOF Twin Hills Cemetery