William "Bill" Daugherty

      William “Bill” Daugherty, Jr. age 81 a resident of Berne, Indiana and a former Penn Twp. resident passed away Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.  He was a 1954 graduate of New Palestine High School and a 1958 graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Agricultural Science and Economics.  Bill had a passion for farming, and operated a thriving dairy operation for many years In Penn Township, Jay County.  He was an avid Purdue University basketball fan and spent many hours watching basketball live and on TV.  He was a veteran of the US Army National Guard.

      In 1967, Bill started his first Southern Gospel singing group, “The Christian Brothers”.   In the early 1980’s the group evolved into the current quartet known as “The Christianaires”.  They traveled extensively throughout the Midwest and Southern parts of the United States.  The Christianaires recorded many albums over the years and were in the process of finishing their latest release.  Bill’s love for gospel music was his great passion, and he was happiest when singing for the Lord.  September of this year would have marked his fifty year anniversary of ministry in music. 

     William Daugherty was born February 13, 1936 in Indianapolis, Indiana the son of William Daugherty, Sr. and Mary (Schelm) Daugherty.  He was married in 1957 to Pauline Guard and who passed away in 2001.  In 2002 he married Eileen Sprunger.

Survivors Include:

His beloved wife- Eileen Daugherty, Berne, Indiana

2 Sons- Ron Daugherty, Indianapolis, Indiana

              Don Daugherty, Plymouth, Indiana

2 Step daughters- Carol Sokolsky and Gloria Newman, both of Tulsa, Oklahoma

1 Sister- Georgia Ambrose, Ft. Myers, Florida

2 Grandchildren, 5 Step Grandchildren and 5 Step Great Grandchildren

     He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a sister- Mary Esther Ryan, a grandson-Bryce Daugherty, and a step grandson-Jeffrey Pyle.

     Visitation will be held from 3-7pm Friday in the Faith Evangelical Church, 9496 W CR. 200 S. Dunkirk, Indiana.

      Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday in the Faith Evangelical Church, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Pastor Harold Miller will officiate the services and burial will follow in the IOOF Twin Hills Cemetery in Pennville.

     Memorials may be directed to Faith Evangelical Church, Gideon’s International, or The Christianaires ministry.

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