William Robert "Bill" Elder

William Robert “Bill” Elder, 87, loving husband, father, “grampa”, uncle and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, May 2, 2017. Services: A celebration of his life will be held Friday, May 19, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Wade Family Funeral Home, Arlington. We will share food, drinks, pictures and stories from a long life well lived with the family and friends he so truly cherished. Inurnment will be at a later date in Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery, Dallas. Bill was born May 15, 1929, to Emza and Mamie Robbins Elder, in Decatur County, Indiana. His mother died when he was five and he grew up farming with his dad. He graduated from Burney High School in 1947 and served in Korea with the U.S. Army, Second Infantry Division from 1951-53. In 1955 he married Shirley Dean Manis , of Columbus, Indiana, and thus began their journey of 61 beautiful and inseparable years together. In 1960 he earned his MBA at Indiana University and soon thereafter started a lifelong career with Cummins Engine Company, spending the last 21 years with Cummins Southern Plains in Arlington. In 1992, he retired as executive vice president and general manager. After retirement Bill and Shirley enjoyed spending time with their children and granddaughters, worked as docents at the Ft. Worth Zoo, and traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad. He enjoyed all sports and in particular golf which he played regularly with close friends. Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Francis Elder of Dayton, Ohio and sister, Sarah Whipple of Greensburg, Indiana. Survivors: Left to cherish his memory are loving wife, Shirley; daughter, Kathryn Diane McCrady; son, Steven Marshall Elder of Dallas; and granddaughters, Kylie Alexandra and Avery Elizabeth Blessing. He leaves behind many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Wade Family Funeral Home 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway Arlington, TX 76013 (817)274-9233