William Joseph "Bill" Abbott, 78, of rural Rockford passed away at 11:15 a.m., Thursday at Vancrest Health Care in Van Wert.

He was born on July 21, 1942, in Cincinnati the son of the late Norman and Loraine Abbott. On October 3, 1970, he married the former Ginger Ann (Spicer) Abbott who preceded him in death on July 11, 2002. He then married Kathleen (Miller) Jewell who also preceded him in death.

Family survivors include his daughter, Kari (Don) Smith of Van Wert; a son, Curt (Patricia) Abbott of Sarasota, Florida; and three grandchildren, Troy Neil Abbott, Trevor William Abbott and Jacob Donald Smith.

Bill drove truck for many years. He then was a custodian at Van Wert Middle School and a security guard at Van Wert County Hospital. He loved watching and feeding birds. He spent many happy times at Sault Ste. Marie watching the lake boats.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church with Father Chris Bohnsack officiating. Interment will follow at Ohio City Woodlawn Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 - 8 p.m., Monday at Cowan & Son Funeral Home, Van Wert.

Preferred memorials are to the Van Wert County Humane Society.

Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded at cowanfuneralhome.com, Tribute Wall.