FRANKLIN
Dr. Billy L. Abel, 96, of Franklin, died Sunday, October 8, 2017. He was born September 25, 1921 to Lester N. and Katherine E. Abel in Whiteland, Indiana.
Billy lived in the following towns in his youth: Acton, Switz City, Whitcomb, Westport, Milton, and Vincennes, where he played on a very successful 1939 Alice’s team. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II, serving at Buckingham Air Base, Fort Myers, Florida and Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. Upon discharge, he continued his education at Franklin College and the University of Louisville, M.Ed. He taught and coached at Pekin, Paoli, and Charlestown high schools.
Bill’s whole life focused around education and the development of young people. He received his Doctorate in Education from IU in 1970. As Associate Professor of Secondary Education, he was a mentor to many secondary school principals and administrators. He served as AssociateDirector of the North Central Association in which he led accreditations of Indiana high schools and overseas armed forces high schools. He also was a lay preacher, and an active member in the Methodist Church. He was a Principal at Attica, Plainfield, Ben Davis, and Bedford High Schools before becoming an associate professor at IU. He taught at IU-Bloomington and IUPUI until retirement.He and his wife lived in Herndon, Virginia before he moved back to Indiana after her passing. During his 14 years in Virginia, he was a member of the Floris United Methodist Church where he was active in the morning Bible study. Bill was a 33rd degree Mason.
Above all, Bill dearly loved his family and the time he spent with them.
Bill is survived by his children and their spouses, Bill and Mary Lake Abel and Kate and Bill Plummer; his grandchildren, Matthew (Janinne) Abel, Elizabeth (Jared) Kassebaum, Laura (Chris) Meinzen, Joseph Plummer and Susan Plummer; his great-grandchildren, Ayden Collins, William and James Abel; Rebekah, Alice, and MaryBeth Kassebaum; Madeleine Meinzen; siblings, Russell Abel and Mary VanAllen and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy L. “Dotty” Abel, an infant son, Phillip Abel anda sister, Vera Holmes.
A memorial service was held Tuesday,October 10, 2017 at the Franklin United Methodist Community Chapel in Franklin. Bill’s grandson, Rev. Matt Abel officiated. Burial was at Greenwood Cemetery. Singleton Community Mortuary and Memorial Center handled arrangements.
Share memories at: http://www.singletonmortuary.com.
Donations in his memory may be made to Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon, Virginia 20171
