William Gray Earle of Plainfield died Wednesday. He was 89.
Born March 4, 1923, he was a son of the late Thurman K. and Virginia (Sharpe) Earle. He married Ruth (Propheter) Earle on Nov. 23, 1956, and she survives.
Mr. Earle graduated from Carmel High School in 1941 and served in the U.S. Army Air Force. In 1960 he received the Fireman of the Year Award from the city of Indianapolis. He was promoted to captain, and then chief of the Arson Division. He was also the deputy state fire marshal and past president of the International Association of Arson Investigators.
He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award, Valley of Indianapolis Scottish Rite. He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 653 F&AM in Plainfield, the Murat Shrine, Court 15 Royal Order of Jesters, and was the oldest living member of the Murat Highlanders. He was also a life member of Scottish Rite Valley of Indianapolis, VFW, and International Association of Fire Fighters.
Mr. Earle started the first scout troop at Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, as well as Hobos and Sad Sacks.
Additional survivors include a daughter, Susan Earle Imbody and husband Donald; a half-brother, Earl Smith; a niece, Bonnie Strange and husband Gary; nephews Ray Smith Jr. and wife Kay, Larry Gehm and wife Judy, and Charles and Vivian Langwell; and a great-nephew, Steven Strange.
Preceding him in death was a brother, Richard Earle, and a sister-in-law, Virginia Earle.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Wilson St. Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood Chapel, 481 W. Main St., Greenwood, with Jeff Zaring and Tim Murphy officiating. Interment will be at Union Chapel Cemetery.
Calling is from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Indianapolis Firefighters Museum, 748 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis IN 46204.
Online condolences may be made at www.wilsonstpierre.com.
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