William Michael Ewing Jr. (91) of Mishawaka, IN passed away surrounded by family on March 28, 2026. Known to all as Bill, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Rose Maria (87) and their first-born son, Gene Thomas (6 months). Bill was born on October 16, 1934, in Mishawaka IN to the late William and Dorothy Ewing.

Bill met the love of his life, Rose, in Sembach, Germany, during his service in the Air Force. Rose, born and raised in Germany, was working for an American family at the time, a circumstance that allowed their paths to cross. Despite a language barrier and the many challenges of the moment, their connection only grew stronger. Against all odds, they fell in love and were married on August 25, 1956.

For more than four decades, Bill built a life grounded in hard work, honesty, and faith. Although he was forced to leave school before the ninth grade, he more than compensated for it with determination, dedication, and two hard-working hands. He spent 11 years in the Air Force as a heavy equipment operator before transitioning into the mobile home industry. His creativity and willingness to think beyond convention earned him the opportunity to help launch a new manufacturing plant to design RVs unlike anything that had come before. When that industry slowed, he adapted once again, building kitchens in homes and eventually retiring from manufacturing travel buses.

Bill’s love for building extended far beyond his work. In his own backyard, he created full‑scale airplanes, a helicopter, a playhouse, a tree fort, and even a flying saucer for his children to play in. His imagination didn’t stop there, he delighted the neighborhood mail carriers by constantly transforming his mailbox into various airplanes, cars, and various heavy equipment as well.

Another of Bill’s greatest joys was the beauty of nature. He and Rose spent countless hours gardening and tending to the many flower beds around their home, transforming the yard into a living work of art. He often liked to say, “Why do I need to travel to a park when I can create my own right here.” and he truly did just that.

Bill had an unstoppable fascination with anything being built. If there was new construction happening anywhere in town, he treated it like a personal field trip, driving over, inspecting every beam and bolt, and analyzing exactly why someone chose that method instead of the obviously better one he had in mind. And of course, once he figured it out, he made sure everyone within earshot learned all about it too.

Above all else, Bill loved his family. Even though the word love was something he could never quite bring himself to say, he expressed it in countless other ways, through his actions, his steadfast loyalty, and the quiet devotion woven into everything he did. And every day for the past three years, you could find him honoring that devotion as he visited the resting place of his beloved wife.

For those who knew him well, his willingness to lend a helping hand will be forever missed. He had a way of showing up exactly when you needed him, tools in hand, a solution already forming, and a quiet kindness that made every burden feel a little lighter. His generosity wasn’t just something he did; it was simply who he was.

Surviving are his sons, Steve Ewing; Donald Ewing (Ellen); daughter Thea Bolinger (Brad-deceased); grandchildren: Kerri Lillis; Shane Bolinger (Brittany); Andrew Ewing (Sarah); Ciara Bolinger; step granddaughter: Michelle Schulenburg (Randy); great-grandchildren Landon, Harper, and Ariya and great-step-grandchildren Timothy and Jonathan.

A visitation will be held Saturday April 11, 2026, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Hwy., Osceola, IN 46561, from 10 am to 12pm. A Funeral will immediately follow the visitation. Burial will conclude at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

To leave a message for the family, please go to Chapelhillmemorial.com