William Calvin Travis 5/5/1944 – 2/23/2024
William Calvin Travis, age 79, of Lowell, Indiana, devoted husband, loving father, proud grandfather & great-grandfather, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on February 23, 2024. He died of complications from metastatic prostate cancer.
William, or Bill as he was known all of his life, was the eldest child in his family, born on May 5, 1944 to parents Enos & Earlene Travis in Scottsboro, Alabama. He lived the first 10 years of his life in Alabama until the family moved to Northwest Indiana, where Bill spent the remainder of his life.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Donna and two daughters, Paula (Rolf) Alexis of Saline, MI and Kelly (Mark) Heim of Evansville, IN. He is also survived by his four ‘favorite’ grandchildren, Travis (Emily) Alexis of Greenwood, IN, Quinn (Myles) Lulla of Eagle Mountain, Utah, Mitchell (Danielle) Heim of Clarksville, TN and Elizabeth Heim of Evansville, IN. Additionally, Bill is survived by the two newest loves of his life, his two great-grandchildren Silas Canto and Rylan Alexis. Bill’s family was the joy of his life.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Enos and Earlene, and step-mother, Maudeen and two siblings, brother Donald and sister Derenda.
Bill graduated from Lowell High School in 1962 and began working for Ford Motor Company in Chicago Heights, IL before changing careers and becoming a financial advisor for Primerica. During his time there, he earned the coveted position of National Sales Director. He spent 40+ years helping & serving families; that was his true passion. Bill and Donna traveled extensively through Primerica and with friends. Bill’s favorite trip by far though, was a cruise with their close friends to Alaska where they spent 2 weeks exploring via ship, helicopter, small prop plane and bus. He would still check the weather report daily for Wiseman, Alaska, population 12, his favorite town on the trip. Bill never met a stranger. No matter where he was, he could strike up a conversation with anyone. He will be remembered for his gift of gab, his positive outlook on life, his dad jokes and his “Alabama stories’ that his grandchildren would want repeated over and over again.
Bill was a long time member of Living Hope Church in Merrillville, IN. He and Donna have many loving friends there. He served as a church deacon and church secretary. He & Donna were also very involved in Royal Family Kids Camp, which is a program for children in foster care in NW Indiana.
Bill’s family would like to thank Ascension Hospital and Heart to Heart Hospice in Evansville, IN for their amazing care of Bill & support of our family over the past few months. We would especially like to thank the oncology staff on the 6th floor for the wonderful care he received during the week of his passing.
Please join the family in a celebration of Bill’s life on Saturday, March 23, 2024 at Living Hope Church, 9000 Taft Street, Merrillville, IN 46410. Visitation will be from 10:00am until 12:00pm. The funeral service will begin directly afterwards at noon. In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation in Bill’s name to the Royal Family Kids Camp ℅ Living Hope Church at the address
above.
Debbie and Joe Gifford says
Bill and Donna we’re are good friends at church going to miss Bill so much , and all the good fellowship we had ❤️
Russ & Cheryl Sims says
So sorry for your loss. Bill was such an amazing person who was always so friendly to us. His smile is what we will remember most about him as I can’t remember ever seeing him not smiling. Such a Godly man who loved his family. He will be missed but we have the hope that we will see him again. God bless His family, Our prayers are with you all.
Diane Irwin says
Dear Donna, Paula, Kelly and family,
My heart goes out to you all. Bill’s heart is as big as the state of Texas. He will be sorely missed. I enJOYed being with him whenever he and Donna came to Saline. I’m so grateful that you have so many wonderful memories with him. God bless you all with comfort and peace.
Love, Diane Irwin
Willie Pritchett says
To Donna Travis and family we offer our deepest sympathy to your family from Willie &Sarah Pritchett and family. May God give you comfort during this difficult time , with the deepest sincerely keep you in our prayers 🙏🏾 , continue blessings. ❤️❤️ The Pritchett family
Richard Miller & Sharon. says
One fine man. A man that loved his God.
Susie Watson says
Bill was the Best 1/2 Brother anyone could ask for. He always kept in touch with us. Fly High!! Tell Dad and my Momma we miss and Love them. Love 💘and miss you already.
Rod Hausmann says
Donna and Family, so sorry to hear the passing of Bill. I enjoyed the times we talked business and life and seeing you guys most January in Pennsylvania at awards banquet. Bill impacted so many people and was a great man to just sit down and have a conversation. May God bless you through these days! RVP Rod Hausmann
Rod Hausmann says
Donna and Family, so sorry to hear the passing of Bill. I enjoyed the times we talked business and life and seeing you guys most January in Pennsylvania at awards banquet. Bill impacted so many people and was a great man to just sit down and have a conversation. May God bless you through these days! RVP Rod Hausmann
Walter Perry says
Bill is a Great man! He always was there to give me encouragement ❤️
Valerie Thomas says
Both of my girls loved Grandpa Bill. You will be missed.
Anke Frischen says
Dear Kelly and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. On behalf of the total Envalior Global Human Resources team I wish you, your mother, all family members and friends a lot of strength.
We are always there to support you in any way we can.
Warm regards,
Anke Frischen
Gary & Diane summers says
Donna, I was so very saddened when I read about the passing of Bill. What a truly wonderful man and what a blessing he was to so very many myself included May our Lord grant you the peace of God that passes all understanding much love Gary and Diane Summers
Mick & Betty Finn says
Bill Travis was such a great guy. We send love and strength to Donna, Paula and Kelly and all his family. Loved Bill and love you all.
Steve and Deb Horvath says
Dear Donna and family. It was an honor to serve with Bill (and you) at RFKC. His joyful spirit and commitment to serve others was impactful. While we mourn Bill’s passing we can take comfort in his legacy and our memories of a great man and true servant, his smile, positive attitude and bias for action. God bless you in your time of loss.
Karen Humes says
Kelly and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Praying for you and your family during this time.
Debbie Slayton says
Donna, daughters and grands, this world needs more men like Bill. I enjoyed him popping into my office when I worked at the church. He was such a breath of fresh air, always smiling. He always spoke so highly of his family and talked of family get togethers. I specifically remember him talking about the houseboat. I’m glad you all have such great memories to look back on and assurance to see him again without pain in heaven.💕
Paul and Sue Sheehy says
Dear Donna and Family,
Sue and I are very proud to call Bill and you our friends. We’ve known you as fellow church members at Living Hope Church for over twenty-five years. For a number of years we have been part of your Lunch Bunch, going out to lunch as a group of four to six couples, following Sunday church service. Bill and you have served us very well as our financial advisors for a number of years. We are praying for your whole family. Bill will remain forever in our hearts. Because we have a Blessed Hope, Jesus, we will see Bill again. We love you, Donna and family.
Deanna and Danny Lulla says
Bill conducted the marriage ceremony for his Granddaughter, Quinn to our son Myles.
Bill did a magnificent job of bringing families together, sharing stories, and exemplifying all the qualities necessary for a successful marriage.
Although we only knew him for a short time, he left a lasting impression on our family.
Steve and Deb Horvath says
Dear Donna and family,
May God proved comfort in this time of sorrow. It was an honor to work with Bill (and you) at RFKC and to see the joy that Bill shared with everyone, especially the children. Bill’s legacy of generosity, service, and integrity is a testament to his love for God and people. Although greatly missed we can take comfort that he is with his Lord. God bless!
Josh Unsworth and family says
Dear Donna and Family
I went to Bills office over 10 years ago to get some help with a plan to get out of debt. I’ll never forget that day. I thought I would never be able to pay off the debt and Bill just smiled and laughed and said “I’ve seen much worse. You can do this” he made me a plan and it worked. But, more importantly a friendship started on that day. We spent a lot of time over the years talking about trucks, campers, how much Rosie loved his Figi water, and our favorite was the goodness of God. Bill was a great example of what a Godly man was supposed to be like. We will miss him dearly. But, the legacy he left behind will live on through all of us that he invested in. Our love and prayers are with you all during this time of loss.
Barbara Iler says
I am so sorry to hear of your loss in Bill’s passing. He was a great guy and I still remember him showing up at my sons wake years ago I am going to try and show up for his wake but I have a hard time walking Donna you have my sympathy I know you are going to miss him So will all his friends in cluding me. You guys always returned my phone calls and I trusted his advice all the time. You are in my thoughts and prayers God Bless You and your family Take care Barb Iler
Barbara Iler says
I have known Bill & Donna for a long time I will never forget when Bill came to my son Kevin wake I was really surprised but very happy he came I it meant a lot to me I shell always remember him
Diane Washington says
Donna and Family
Bill will be truly missed.
My deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss.
Phillip & Sherri Kuiper says
So sorry to hear about Bill , Donna please know we are praying for you and your family!
I will miss running into Bill and talking about well, anything!
God Bless all of you!
Shenley Seabrook says
Donna and family, I’m just now finding out about Bill’s passing and I’m so sorry. He was a wonderful man and I will never forget the many children’s lives he changed for the better. He will always be Nicholas’ “camp grandpa” since he never met his biological grandparents, and for that (and many other reasons) he has a special place in my heart. Praying for your family.