William L. (Bill) Witt

Published 5:59 am Monday, January 31, 2022

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William L. (Bill) Witt, of Winchester, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the 26th of January, 2022.

He was born February 25, 1923 in Ford, Kentucky to Henry G. and Mary J. Witt (Benton) of Ford, Kentucky. He was the second of four children and graduated from Clark County High School.

Bill was a proud member of “The Greatest Generation” during World War II. He entered the U.S. Army after high school and was sent to The Mediterranean Theater of Operations after basic training as a member of the 88th Infantry Division “Blue Devils”. Bill participated in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns, including the liberation of Rome. He was proud to have been an ordinary GI and was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Purple Heart Medal. Following his recuperation from significant combat wounds, he returned to the United States after Victory in Europe (VE Day), and was processing to deploy to the Pacific Theater for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. He returned to civilian life and married Louise Watts of Winchester in October 1945.

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Bill joined International Business Machines (IBM) in Lexington in 1957, retiring from the IBM Research Triangle facility near Raleigh, North Carolina in 1990 after 33 years of service. William and Louise then returned home to Winchester. He maintained a lifelong love of UK basketball, the Cincinnati Reds, the outdoors, and continued to hunt and fish until his latter years. He also loved to garden, especially tomatoes, generously sharing with his many friends and acquaintances throughout the neighborhood.

He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Louise R. Witt (Watts) of Winchester, and three children; William L. Witt Jr. and wife Amphorn of Hampton, Virginia, Joe A. Witt of Apalachicola, Florida, and Donna L. Witt of Banner Elk, North Carolina. He is also survived by a brother, Joe E. Witt and wife Jane (Banks), of Lexington, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Witt was preceded in death by one sister, Ruth Marie, one brother, James D. Witt, and one child, Molly Sue.

Arrangements are being made by Scobee Funeral Home. Covid-19 health concerns require a closed attendance limited to family and invited guests. Interment to be conducted in the family plot in the Winchester Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Northpoint Lexington Healthcare for their excellent care for Bill and also requests donations to any veterans organization in lieu of flowers.