Billie Joe Forsythe

Billie Joe ForsytheBillie Joe "Shorty" Forsythe, 78, Tipton, died Saturday, November 3, 2007 at his residence.  He was born in Bogard, Missouri on June 18, 1929 to William Hugh and Catherine Frances (Bingham) Forsythe.  He had lived in Missouri until 1955, moving to Kokomo until 1966 and then to Tipton.  He married Betty Lou (Swisher) on June 3, 1956, and she survives.Bill had worked at Continental Steel in Kokomo for 31 years as a crane man, retiring in 1986.  He then worked for Reeder & Klein in Carmel and then for the Tipton County Highway Department for 14 years as a grader operator, retiring in 2001.  He was a member of the Center Masonic Lodge # 389, Eastern Star, and the United Steel Workers of America, serving on the Pension Rights Committee.Bill served in the Army during the Korean War in the Tank Division for the 3rd & 4th Armored Division as a Sgt. of the Motor Pool.He is survived by three children: Linda Marie Hinkle and husband Lloyd R., Huntertown, Indiana, Diana Elaine Parr and husband Daniel J. Chalfie, Indianapolis, and William M. Forsythe and wife Kimberly J., Tipton.  He has one sister, Evelyn Perry and husband Joe Ray, Marshall, Missouri and one brother, Clyde Forsythe and his wife, the late Martha Forsythe, Sharpsville;  four grandchildren, Amanda M. Hinkle-Gumbel, Nicole M. Parr, Katie M. Cole and Lindy E. Forsythe; two great-grandchildren, Jasmine M. Timmons and Makayla M. Hinkle Gumbel.Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 7,  at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Rev. Kevin Carr presiding.  Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery, Tipton.  Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday.Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 82 Tipton, Indiana, 46072.