WILLIAM C. KORDELbio & obit
William C. Kordel, 73, of Kolomo, Indiana died Sunday at Howard Community Hospital.
73, of Kolomo, Indiana died Sunday at Howard Community Hospital. He was born April 24, 1926, in Pike County the son of the late Richard and Thelma (Claytor) Kordel.
He moved to Kokoma in 1956 and went to work for T. L. James and W. R. Aldridge as a Forman over incoming cement at bunker Hill Air Force. He worked 19 years in construction (four years as a steward, and 15 years as a general foreman). The projects he worked on were U.S. 31, Delco, Chrysler, St Joe Hospital, Howard Community Hospital, Kokoma Mall and Markland Mall, Howard Johnson, Holiday Inn, Western and Hayworth Schools, Chapel Glen Elementary School in Indianapolis, Indiana.
March 7, 1973 he went to work at Chrysler Corp. as a machine operator retired from there April 30, 1991. He enjoyed repairing cars and auto racing at the Atomic Speedway in Waverly, and the Kokomo speedway as owner and mechanic. In 1991 he purchased the Playground Factory on S. Courtland Avenue in Kokako. He rented space for small businesses. In 1989, he started a sports card shop and used book store with a good friend, Steve Underlie and promoted baseball card shows in the tri-state area.
He also severed as recreation director for the Building and Trades Council of Howard County. He loved his work and traveled the United States; had many friends and loved helping people. In his spiritual life he held several positions; Sunday School superintendent, trustee, Sunday School Teach, church bus driver, and was a substitute preacher on occasion. While in Ohio, he attended Pleasant Hill Non-denominational Community Church. In Kokomo, he attended Courtland Avenue Friends Church and was a member of Forest Lawn church of The Nazarene.
He started working at age 12 (Sixth grade) at Chris George Restaurant in Waverly. He worked for the county mowing weeds on summer vacation while in high school. After graduation from Waverly High School he worked for B. & O. Railroad.
He joined the United States Army in 1944 and did his basic training at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in Arkansas. He was shipped to the Pacific in February 1945. He was assigned to the 33rd Headquarters Division as a Bazooka Man in the assault squad in the Philippines. In Sept 1945 he was shipped to Japan in Kanazwa. He was a radio repairman. He was promoted to tech. sergeant. In November of 1945, he was re-assigned and transferred to the 3159th Signal Service Battalion in Yokahama, Japan as a radio repairman. In November of 1945, he was re-assigned and transferred to the 3159th Signal Service Battalion in Yokahama, Japan as a radio repairman. He went to school for installing and operating ANTRAC 8 (radio and teletype). He took over a command teletype operation. In October 1946 he was released of duty and honorably discharged in November 1946. He returned to the B. & O. Railroad shops as an air brake repairman.
In November 1947, he moved to Kokomo. He went to work at Delco as a punch press operator in December 1947 and worked there until April 1948. He then went to work at Accurate Parts as a lathe operator. He moved to Ohio in April 1950 to go to Ohio State University Agricultural School. He farmed until May, 1955 and was also a milk inspector. He then started working for Kazee Plumbing in Waverly as a plumber. He then went to work on construction for Charlisle Estates as a labor foremen and promoted to assistant superintendent. He took over the operation of operating and maintain 335 homes.
He is survived by his wife: Charlotte Hostetler whom he married September 5, `1948, one son: Carl Michael (Susan E.) Kordel of Kokomo, one daughter: Victoria Lynn Kordel and her companion: Frank Harp of Sharpsville, Indiana; one brother: Curtis Kordel and his finance: Jan Martin of Ohio; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Anna Mae Fisher-Goff of Kokomo; five grandchildren: Karin Kordel, Chris Kordel, Jason Dyer, Joseph Dyer, and James Kirk; two great grandchildren;several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, four brothers-in-law, and three sisters-in-law.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Ellers Mortuary, Webster Street Chapel, 3400 S. Webster Street, Kokomo, Indiana, with Rev. Steve Pearce officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Gardens Cemetery with military honors.
Visitation will be 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Ellers Mortuary Webster Street Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the American Heart Association.
The Waverly News Watchman
August 1999
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Pike Co. Genealogy Society a Chapter of O.G.S.
P. O. Box 224,
Waverly, Ohio 45690