Mr. William J. "Bill" Eads, 79, of Rochester was surrounded by his loving family when he passed away at 3:59 PM Wednesday, May 14th at the St. Joseph Medical Center, Mishawaka. On December 1, 1934, William Joe was born in Kokomo, a treasured son of William Dale and Ruth L. Newton Eads. Growing up as one of four children, he shared his childhood with 2 sisters, Barbara and Jane, and a brother Rick. In 1952 with great Wildcat pride, Bill graduated from Richland Center High School. Near Bruce Lake, William J. Eads and Dortha R. Hopper were united in marriage on March 7, 1953. Their union spanned over 61 years producing two wonderful children, Julie and Joe. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of five grandchildren and 2 great-granddaughters. In the mid 1950's patriotism beckoned and Bill answered the call serving our country with the United States Army National Guard. He was honorably discharged in April of 1960. With a passion for agriculture, in the early years, Bill assisted his dad with the family farming operation in Richland Township. He later worked at Dean Foods in the production of cottage cheese then with the U.P.S. Bill was intrigued with the thought of business ownership, and at that time he purchased the local Ford Dealership from C.R. Barkman, naming the business Rochester Ford. Later a good friend Joe Arone bought in to the business and it was renamed Arone - Eads Ford. He continued to work at the dealership but sold his interest in the late 1990's. Annually, Bill planted a truck patch garden at Julie and Kenny's. Each fall the bountiful harvest supplied the entire family with delicious veggies with plenty for canning and freezing. At home he was in perpetual motion manicuring the lawn and flower gardens to perfection. Dortha and Bill enjoyed late spring pilgrimages to Michigan or Wisconsin to search for mushrooms, a tasty delicacy. Winter brought on visits to Florida and fishing on Lake Okeechobee. Annual travels westward to Las Vegas were a favorite destination of the Eads Family. Not long ago, they enjoyed many excursions to Cozumel to relax in the sun, surf and sand. He and Dortha enjoyed cruising Lake Manitou on the pontoon at sunset, relaxing as the sun dropped below the horizon. This last decade, Bill was devoted to caring for Dortha during her declining health. Dedicated, a true gentleman, he was always at her side, ready to assist her in any manner that he could. As the patriarch of the Eads family overseeing four generations, Papa Bill adored his grandchildren and "the great-ones." They all melted his heart and he loved them to the moon and back, including them in many of life's adventures. Revered as an all-American Grandpa, he introduced the boys to Notre Dame football, with their first visit to ND Stadium against Stanford back in 1988. Grandpa Bill shared his spirited appreciation for the game of golf, which he was known to be highly competitive. There were many good times at the Elk's course helping the grandsons acquire finesse on the putting green and proper technique of driving. When the grandkids were quite young, he played barber shop allowing the kids to cut and style his hair. With the confidence of grandpa, many lifetime memories were made. And then came the "great-ones," he cherished their visits, watching them grow and relaxing in his easy chair, while cradling the girls in his arms. Left to cherish Bill's memory are a daughter, Julie Ann Anderson and husband Kenny of Rochester; a son, Joe Eads and wife Lisa of Nashville, TN; 5 grandchildren: Mitchell Anderson, Lindsey Berlin and husband Alex, Tyler Anderson, Chase Eads, David Lowe; 2 great granddaughters: Adelyn Berlin and Avery Berlin; a sister, Barbara Bryant; four sister-in-laws: Nancy Clay and husband Dick, Barbara Swihart and husband Bob, and Edna Mae Bedford, all of Rochester, and Kay Payne of Peru. Preceding Bill in death are his parents, beloved wife Dortha March 20, 2014, a sister: Jane Ann French in 2013 and a brother Richard 'Rick" Eads in 2004. The Rev. Maurice Grindle will officiate services. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery. Click Here To Visit Our Gift Shop, "Tributes and Treasures"