Bill was born to farmers Lowell Wallace and Harriett Marie Dawson Pruet May 17, 1932, in New Salem, Rush County, Indiana. He went to New Salem Schools, graduating in 1950. During that time his parents went to Evansville to work at the P-67 airplane plant during WW II, and he stayed with his gr-grandparents, Mae Croddy Pruet and Bernie Pruet, on their farm outside Rushville until their return. Bill played trumpet in the HS marching band and also played basketball and baseball. Upon graduation he worked on the farm and Dick Hayden Hardware in Rushville. In 1951 he married Marlene Joan Catt Pruet, whom he met in HS, and was called up to serve in the US Army. His tour of duty took him to Germany, where he played in the Army band. Upon discharge he moved back to Rushville, where he joined his wife and daughter, Beth (born 1954), and went back to work at Hayden’s. Karen was born 1957, and David 1959. Bill then took a regional sales job with Belknap Hardware and moved the family to Bloomington, Indiana. Bill excelled in his role and became their top salesman many times. Belknap closed in 1986, and Bill worked at Hancock Moving Company as manager, then managed Bender Lumber Co. in Bloomington, and Andersen Windows, before landing at Orgle Brothers Hardware in regional sales. He retired from there as a top salesman in 1989, due to a glioblstoma brain tumor, which took his life in 1991. Bill’s positivity, honesty, friendliness, compassion, love of God and family, and sense of humor were his best attributes. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and was a supporter of all his children’s school activities. He was a wonderful role model and mentor to all. Although he grew up in the Methodist Church, he was a member of Sherwood Oaks Christian Church in Bloomington.