1941
William
2018
William P. Bottoms
August 18, 1941 — December 7, 2018
NILES — William “Bill” Bottoms, 77, passed away at his home with his family by his side, Friday at12:15am from a stroke he suffered earlier in the week. He was born Aug. 18, 1941 to the late Calhoun “Hoss” and Evelyn (Cunningham) Bottoms in McMinnville, TN.
Bill married Judith Ann Matson in 1965, she survives. He was blessed with four children who also survive him, including three sons: Randy (Rosa) Yarbrough of Barstow, CA, Bill (Shelley) Wassom of Johns Creek, GA, Kenny (Laurie) Peek of Nashville, TN, and daughter; Maria “Lisa” (Lee) Hirschfield of Cedar Lake, IN. There are also six grandchildren: Lindsay, David, Shelby, Morgan, Haley, Savannah and two great grandchildren: Lia and Branton, and the beloved family cat CC.
Bill served in the U.S. Air Force before marrying Judi. During his younger years he raced dirt cars on the weekends and enjoyed gambling in Las Vegas. He worked as a pipe-fitter and welder on the Sears Tower and other skyscrapers in Chicago and was a builder and creator of many things. He started building tow trucks and opened B & B Industries in Chicago. In 1979, he moved his company and renamed it Challenger Wrecker Manufacturing. He sold that company, but missed the work, so he reopened B&B Industries in Elkhart, where it remains today. He is in the International Towing Museum Hall of Fame in Chattanooga, TN. As if tow trucks weren’t enough, he also designed and manufactures Port-a-Party vehicles, that could be moved anywhere you wanted to party. Such companies as Budweiser, Monster Energy Drinks, and Miller Brewing use these portable parties on wheels.
Bill loved his friends and family and was always there for them. He also had many friends and and loyal employees who will truly miss him.
Visitation and Services for Bill will be held on Sunday from 2-8pm and on Monday from 11-2pm at the McGann Hay Funerals / Cremations / Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 enter on Cherry Rd. The funeral celebration will be at 2pm Monday in the funeral home with Rev. John Railton, Pastor of Granger Family Bible Church, officiating.
The family asks that those wishing to make memorial donations consider: St. Joesph County Humane Society.
Bill married Judith Ann Matson in 1965, she survives. He was blessed with four children who also survive him, including three sons: Randy (Rosa) Yarbrough of Barstow, CA, Bill (Shelley) Wassom of Johns Creek, GA, Kenny (Laurie) Peek of Nashville, TN, and daughter; Maria “Lisa” (Lee) Hirschfield of Cedar Lake, IN. There are also six grandchildren: Lindsay, David, Shelby, Morgan, Haley, Savannah and two great grandchildren: Lia and Branton, and the beloved family cat CC.
Bill served in the U.S. Air Force before marrying Judi. During his younger years he raced dirt cars on the weekends and enjoyed gambling in Las Vegas. He worked as a pipe-fitter and welder on the Sears Tower and other skyscrapers in Chicago and was a builder and creator of many things. He started building tow trucks and opened B & B Industries in Chicago. In 1979, he moved his company and renamed it Challenger Wrecker Manufacturing. He sold that company, but missed the work, so he reopened B&B Industries in Elkhart, where it remains today. He is in the International Towing Museum Hall of Fame in Chattanooga, TN. As if tow trucks weren’t enough, he also designed and manufactures Port-a-Party vehicles, that could be moved anywhere you wanted to party. Such companies as Budweiser, Monster Energy Drinks, and Miller Brewing use these portable parties on wheels.
Bill loved his friends and family and was always there for them. He also had many friends and and loyal employees who will truly miss him.
Visitation and Services for Bill will be held on Sunday from 2-8pm and on Monday from 11-2pm at the McGann Hay Funerals / Cremations / Gatherings, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 enter on Cherry Rd. The funeral celebration will be at 2pm Monday in the funeral home with Rev. John Railton, Pastor of Granger Family Bible Church, officiating.
The family asks that those wishing to make memorial donations consider: St. Joesph County Humane Society.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William P. Bottoms, please visit our flower store.
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