Billy Douglas Ranard

Billy Douglas Ranard, 90, of Dugger, IN passed away at 5:30 p.m., on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Freelandville Community Home.

He was born in Dugger on October 20, 1928 to Iva Camden Ranard and Elmo (Joe) Ranard.  Siblings were Robert (Retha) Ranard, Betty (Ray) Shonk and infant Hubert Guy Ranard.

Bill was a 1946 graduate of Union High School and member of the Church of Christ in Dugger.

He married Wanda Thompson on September 4, 1948 who survives.   He is also survived by two children; Dr. Douglas (Mary Beth) Ranard and Marsha (Dan) Chappell and was preceded in death by one son, Rodney (Melissa) Ranard.

Bill had 8 grandchildren, Rob, Jeff (Kelly), Adam (April) and Ashleigh Chappell, Aaron Mathew (Rachel) Ranard and Amanda (Jay) Smith, Angela (Jeremy) Agnew and Amy (Ryan) Graber.  He also had 16 great-grandchildren, Christina Warrick, Tyler Skinner, Addison, Jenna, Keelan and Jackson Chappell, Brady, Peyton and Cooper Smith, Molly, Sophia and Gabrielle Ranard, Mia Agnew, Taylen, Carson and Keely Graber.  Additionally, he had two great-great grandchildren, Mason and Olivia Warrick.

Bill was a lifelong truckdriver, starting in 1948 with ARCO transporting Studebaker automobiles nationwide then with VARACO, Marion Trucking, Associated Truck Lines and ANR hauling freight through the Midwest.  He retired in 1992 with 45 years of service and 7 million plus accident-free miles.

Bill also worked at Twigs Machine Shop in Brazil in the early 1950s.

He was initiated into the Freemasons on July 8, 1955 and had the honor of serving as Grand Master.  Bill was an avid fisherman, an amateur radio operator, a licensed pilot and was featured in the American Trucking Association Magazine as National Driver of the Year in 1991.  In 1992 he was also honored with the Indiana Motor Truck Association Driver of the Year award. 

After retirement, Bill enjoyed camping and spending winters as a Florida snowbird. 

            Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Monday, January 7, 2019 at Newkirk’s Funeral Home in Dugger, IN with Bro. Nick Moore officiating. Burial will follow in the Dugger Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM Sunday with a Masonic service at 7:00PM.

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