William Fred Birch, Jr.'s Obituary
Decatur-William Fred Birch, Jr., 89 of Decatur, passed away at 2:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at Decatur Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
Services to celebrate Fred's life will be 10 a.m. Saturday, January 15, 2011 at Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home with Chaplain Dan Spruell officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday, January 14, 2011 at the funeral home. Interment with military honors conducted by the Macon County Honor Guard and 'Flight Home' Ceremony will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to National Wild Turkey Foundation or Multiple Myeloma Research Fund. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Fred was born September 3, 1921 in Forgan, Oklahoma the son of William Sr. and Carrie Birch. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II. In 2002, he was the USS Lexington CV2 Club President. That same year here in Decatur, he hosted the 49th Annual Reunion of Survivors of the sinking of the aircraft carrier in the battle of the Coral Sea. Fred was on the 'Lex' when it departed Pearl Harbor less than 48 hours prior to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. He watched Butch O'Hare earn the Medal of Honor as he shot down five planes on a single sortie. He was stationed on the USS Vicksburg in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender. He attended the W.W. II memorial dedication in May of 2004. He was elected to two terms as the Decatur Township Assessor retiring at the age of eighty. Prior to that, he was the owner of Fred Birch & Co. Realtors. One of his lifelong passions was hunting. Fred started his hunting adventures as a boy, hunting rabbits with a sling-slot. Prior to the invention of the compound bow, he was an avid long-bow hunter. Fred's last big hunting adventure, at age 81, took him and son, Arthur, to Newfoundland where he bagged a moose, bear, and Woodland caribou, earning Fred the distinction of being the oldest visitor to Newfoundland to get the 'Grand Slam.' He married Leora Gritton 1953. She preceded him in death on March 23, 2006.
He leaves behind his sons; Mark and wife Laura of Decatur, Arthur and wife Martha of Clinton, Bill of Decatur, and Dana John of Decatur, daughter; Debbie Lewis and husband Dave of Clermont, Florida, brother; John Birch and wife Betty of Judsonia, Arkansas, grandchildren; Toni of San Diego, Carly, Nick, Michael, Matthew, and Elizabeth all of Decatur, Benjamin of Bloomington, Anthony of Charleston, Bryan of Mattoon, and Derek and Allison both of Clermont, Florida, and great-grandchild, Evan.
He was reunited in Heaven with his parents and wife.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Kelli and Ethel, who allowed our dad to fulfill his wish of living his final years at his home of fifty-seven years.
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?