William Ralph Becker

William R. "Bill" Becker, 71, of Granger succumbed to ALS on June, 21st. The diagnosis was heart-wrenching, but he accepted the inevitable outcome with dignity.

He was born Dec. 22, 1951, in South Bend, the youngest of four children of Clifford and Helen Becker. In January 1974, he married the former Gayle Gushwa, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Brandon (Kimberly),of Fishers, and Casey (Ashley), of Osceola; a daughter, Yady (Bill Rein), of Wisconsin; six grandchildren; a brother, Curt, and two sisters, Trudy Keltz and Jackie Berg.

While a student at Indiana University (Class of 1974), he met Gayle on a blind date, and that was the beginning of a 50-year love affair. Whether it was reading quietly at home in the evening with the dogs at their side, attending a performance at the Morris, sharing a bottle of wine on the patio with neighbors, or traveling the world, it didn't matter where they were as long as they were together.

His oldest son, Brandon, a short time after learning of Bill's diagnosis, wrote this tribute to his father: "Bill Becker is the hero of every story any of us ever tell. He is the healthiest and kindest and strongest person we've ever known. Does everything right. Loves his family. Treats strangers as friends. Trains like a champ. Disciplined diet. Pays his taxes. Befriends weird animals. Gives more than he gets. Never complains. Makes everyone laugh. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. Best dude ever!”

Bill became an avid golfer, sometimes playing four or five times a week. He was always up for a game with friends, but didn't mind playing alone. He loved driving his vintage Porsche convertible. He cherished his grandkids and loved attending their activities, especially youth hockey games.

For many years, he was a spotter and statistician for Notre Dame football games and enjoyed meeting the celebrities who wandered through the press box.

If it's true that a man can be measured by the number of lives he touched, then Bill Becker was a giant among us. He will be dearly missed.

The family is asking for no flowers but to please make a donation in Bill's name to https://secure.givelively.org/donate/irish-youth-hockey-league-inc/in-memory-of-bill-becker .

Services will be announced at a later date.