William O. “Bill” Downs

William O. “Bill” Downs, 74, Anderson, passed away February 5, 2017, at his residence after a brief illness. He was born September 28, 1942, in Anderson and was a 1960 graduate of Highland High School and attended Purdue University. He retired from Delco Remy in 1996 as a toolmaker after 35 years and was a member of the UAW-CIO Local #662. Bill was a Little League Baseball Coach for 20 years and loved watching his grandchildren play sports. He was an avid camper at the Pick-A-Spot Campgrounds, bowled in many leagues at Cooper Sport Bowl and enjoyed woodworking making many wooden toys for his family. Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carmelia “Kay” Downs of Anderson; three children, Jeff (Faith) Downs of Pendleton, Melissa (Mark) Tomlinson and Brian Downs all of Anderson; nine grandchildren, Kasey (Jeremiah) Kiel, Morgan (Tim) Quick, Chelsea Boren, Chase (Jessica) Lamb, Kirsten Tomlinson, Brycen Downs, Colton Downs, Ryan Downs and Ryleigh Downs; seven great grandchildren, Isabell Waldrep, Peyton Tomlinson, Nathan Lamb, Brianna Bower, Kari Boren, Dyllan Quick, Ariana Kiel and a great grandchild to come, Baby Quick; one brother, Tim (Sandee) Downs of Anderson; brothers-in-law & sisters- in-law, Edmund & Diane, Boyd & Dawn, Anita & Dale and Doris & Larry; two cousins, Randy Tharp and Pam Marvel and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parent, William E. and Glenna Downs; a grandmother, Lucy Tharp: aunt and uncle, Otho and Mary Tharp and a brother-in-law, Edward Smock. Service will be at 12:00 P.M. Saturday at Brown-Butz-Diedring Funeral Service & Crematory with Chaplain Rob Mifflin officiating. Burial will be in East Maplewood Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.