Bill J. Colbert
July 24, 1930 ~ May 8, 2016
Bill J. Colbert, 85 of Mooresville, passed away peacefully at the Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis the morning of Sunday, May 8, 2016. He was born July 24, 1930 in Princeton, Indiana to the late Owen and Elizabeth (Rainey) Colbert. On September 5, 1953 Bill was united in marriage to his loving wife, Eleanor M. (Eckiss) Colbert; she preceded him in death on March 17, 2016.
He proudly served his country in the National Guard for 10 years. Bill graduated from Princeton High School and earned degrees from Oakland City University and Indiana University in teaching. Mr. Colbert was a teacher at Northwood Elementary for two years before serving as Principal for 23 years; he also taught at Newby Elementary for two years. Mr. Colbert retired in 1995
Bill and Eleanor were long time, active members at First United Methodist Church in Mooresville. He was a member of the Lions Club in Mooresville where he served as past president, President of the Morgan County Retired Teachers, Past President of the Community Foundation of Morgan County, a member of the Mooresville Nature Club, Mooresville Library Board and the Town Planning Commission.
Mr. Colbert was also preceded in death his son, Stephen Colbert and a brother, Donald Colbert.
Survivors include his two children, Tim (Sharon) Colbert of Indianapolis and Susan Colbert of Mooresville; grandchildren, Ryan (Brittnie), Trent, Timmy and Erica; great grandchildren, Addie Marie and Caleb Benjamin.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate the life of Bill Colbert on Thursday, May 12, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m., in the First United Methodist Church, 900 Indianapolis Road, Mooresville. Rev. Dennis Payton will officiate the 10 a.m. funeral service on Friday, May 13, 2016, in the church. The committal service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Friday, in White Church Cemetery, Princeton. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.CarlisleBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Though Mr. Colbert and my dad were long time friends, the years brought my own friendship and admiration for him. My first ten years of teaching were at Northwood under Mr. Colbert’s supervision. He was largely responsible for my becoming a successful teacher due to his giving me space and opportunity to ‘do my thing’ without micromanaging as administrators are often wont to do today. His support was always quietly there in the background. He truly cared for parents and wanted the best for their children. Humility and grace were his virtues. I know I speak for fellow teachers as well. Thank you, Bill, for being a lifetime friend. Linda Madden Rasner
We are so sorry for your loss. Love and prayers from Tim and Bev Viles
I met Mr. Colbert at my student teacher dinner. Everyone was amazed that a principal would take the time to come. That’s the way he was, always supportive and offering encouragement. I felt so blessed when he hired me for my first job–never regretted taking that job. We’ve managed to keep in touch over the years including this last Christmas. He will be missed. Carole Gee
My first year teaching at Northwood was Bill’s last year to teach before he became the principal at Newby. I remember asking him to let me know any time he would teaching health and not be using the M-P room for PE classes so I could take my class down for some PE, which grades 1-4 did not have at that time. He was really happy I was even interested in giving my class PE time and would let me know when it was available. It was wonderful until some others noticed and became envious of my PE time. Then Bill had to notify the principal, not me, whenever he was teaching health and all the grade 1- 4 teachers were assigned 20 minute blocks to take their classes down for PE time the home room teacher had to teach. Not sure everyone appreciated me at that point. My class was disappointed to be limited to 20 minutes as I had been taking them for an hour whenever we went. Bill hated that I had my time cut since I was the one who had ever asked for time to teach my class some PE and he was worried I would be upset with him. When Bill returned to Northwood as my Principal, he was very involved with all ‘his’ kids. He knew every student by name (after studying the Rolodex picture/info files until he could put basic info with their faces). He excelled in other ways, too. He walked the building every morning right before the admittance bell rang to make sure all the teachers were in or near their rooms or which substitute had their class was covered for the day. He was in every classroom at some point every day and would quietly walk around during the lesson or study time and ask students questions about their work. Students were totally comfortable with him appearing beside their desks, too. If any sort of letters, flyers, notices or bulletins needed to be sent home from the office, he personally delivered them to each classroom before dismissal – they were not stuffed into the teacher mailboxes. He always knew what was going on in each classroom on a daily basis and did not do the typical once-a-year, sit down in the classroom, evaluation of his teachers. He was greatly missed when he retired!
Mr.Colbert was my principal, my neighbor and my friend … My thoughts and prayer’s go out to the family.
Although you only lived next to me for a short time I remember your dad well, sorry for your loss. J.R. Hary
So sorry to hear this, Susan. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Susan thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Susan, Tim, and Families, We are so sorry for your loss. It is even worse because you lost your mom such a short time ago. I am sure Bill and Eleanor are together again and that should be a comfort. We met Bill first when our son, Tony, started first grade.Bill was a great principal. If you had any concerns about your child, Bill was the man to see, and he would listen to your concerns and act upon what he thought was best. Bill became a neighbor when we moved to Victor Drive. If you needed anything, Bill was willing to help. We will always miss Bill and Eleanor. God Bless. Larry and Brenda Wyatt
To the family of Bill and Eleanor Corbelt, Oakland City University sends our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May God surround you with His peace. Susan Sullivan, Director for Alumni Relations
Mr.C was my principal and my friend. I am filled with sorrow that he is no longer with us He will be missed by many. My condolences to Susan and Tim and his family. I know that your parents are together again. I will not be able to attend Mr. C’s services as my health issues keep me from the two hour trip.
I looked up to Mr. Colbert as the Grand Old Man. He commanded attention with a look or a clearing of his throat. He represented all things good and true. He cared for everyone and did his best to bring the best out of them. As we aged, I became even more aware of his prowess to do this. I think he really enjoyed life. He left some big shoes to fill. To his family, God bless. Make him proud.
Bill was my elementary school principal. I did a macho duck dance at the talent show and my mom said he loved it. Bill was a great principal and a wonderful friend.
My heart is sad, I have lost a grand friend. Bill was the kindest man, full of humor and caring. He did have a way about him that you knew he was a very concerned man, about all that was going on around him. I know in my heart that he is a happy man now, because he is once again with his Eleanor, his love for 63 years. What a great life to be able to share with your loved one so much time. My prayers for you Susan and Tim, he was proud of both of you. His love, like your Mother will surround you forever.
I know you were supposed to be scared to go to the principal’s office, but I never was. It was always a treat to be called in to cut up soup labels, pick up paperwork for the class, or just talk. He had such an open door and was such a kind man. He made his office a safe place to chat and not just a place to be punished. I also loved seeing him at church where he always gave you a pat on the back. It was an honor knowing him both as a child and in my adult years.
Mr. . Colbert was my 6th grade health and P.E. teacher at Northwood Elem. School. I had to be one of the most uncoordinated 6th graders he had ever seen but he never berated me or made me feel bad.
Thank you, Mr. Colbert, for your fine example of teaching! All of my teachers at Northwood, along with Mr. Madden and my parents, were wonderful inspirations and set me on the path to earn my own elementary education degree. Back then, I would go home every day and imitate their style in my garage’s make-believe classroom. We had so much fun in his class and he took great interest in our Pancake Supper posters! I remember him with much fondness and only recently learned of Mrs. Colbert’s passing. In fact, in my craft room, I currently have a card that I have been creating and was just about ready to send it with a copy of our Northwood class. 🙁 May your family be comforted by his everlasting love and kindness. What an amazing father you had. Mooresville was blessed to have Mr. Colbert as a leader and Heaven’s stars will shine a whole lot brighter. Rest in peace, friend. I will remember you forever.
A good principal, a good neighbor, and just a good man. I’m blessed to have known him and will miss him. Tony West
It was certainly with much honor and privilege to have been a colleague and friend of Bill Colbert. I served alongside Bill throughout the beginning of my teaching career and my administrative career for fourteen years in Mooresville Schools. Bill was an outstanding educator who served his students, faculty and community with the highest level of professionalism. He possessed a great sense of humor and a sincere, heartfelt concern for all of us who were touched by his life. The man had a laugh and smile that was unforgettable. My thoughts and prayers go to you Susan and Tim. Your parents were models of happiness, care and love for all of us. God Bless you Bill, and the entire Colbert family. May you rest in honorable peace. -Bob Harvey
Mr. Colbert was my favorite principal, I have very fond memories of Newby school and much of that can be contributed to Mr. Colbert. He made the kids feel special and showed a genuine concern for each. He was certainly an example of what we need as Principals today. He will be missed. Rick Overton
A sweet,loving man…from my parents hometown. RIP Bill