William Wayne McPherren  

William Wayne McPherren
BIRTH 10 Feb 1918 Roanoke, Huntington County, Indiana
DEATH 2 Jun 200 Huntington, Huntington County, Indiana
BURIAL Glenwood Cemetery Roanoke, Huntington County, Indiana

William Wayne McPherren , 89, of Roanoke, died Saturday, June 2, 2007, at The Heritage of Huntington in Huntington.

Born Feb. 10, 1918, in Roanoke, he was the son of William C. and Florence Fields McPherren. A 1936 graduate of Roanoke High School, he played on both of the Roanoke basketball teams that won the sectional tournament in 1935 and 1936.

He entered the U.S. Army in in 1941, serving as an infantryman in the Pacific Theater, and fought in the amphibious invasions of Makin and Saipan, winning the Bronze Star. He was discharged at the rank of staff sergeant.

After returning from World War II, having earned his Bachelors degree at Ball State, and his teaching certificate at Huntington College, he taught at Andrews School, Andrews, Ind., then taught sixth grade at Roanoke Elementary from 1952 to 1980. He earned his Masters degree at St. Francis College.

He was a lifelong member of Seminary United Methodist Church, Roanoke, and a retired member of the Huntington County Retired Teachers Association.

Surviving are his son, W. Thomas McPherren of Roanoke; daughter, Ann C. McPherren of Huntington; and several nephews. he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Mary N. McPherren, in 2003; sisters, Mary Wickliffe and Bessie Abbott; and brother, George McPherren.

Service is 1 p.m. Tuesday at Roanoke Memorial Chapel, 240 Crestwood Dr., Roanoke, with Rev. Kathy Miller officiating. Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the chapel.

Burial in Glenwood Cemetery, Roanoke, following service.

Memorials to Seminary United Methodist Church.

Arrangements by Deal-Rice Funeral Home, Roanoke Memorial Chapel.

NOTE Bessie married Robert C. Abbott Jr.

Mary Naomi DeArmitt McPherren BIRTH 12 Dec 1917
DEATH 21 May 2003
BURIAL Glenwood Cemetery Roanoke, Huntington County, Indiana