Porter County councilman William Carmichael died Saturday at the age of 77.
The Chesterton resident and County Council's vice president at-large served eight years on the council and 16 years as a county commissioner. He lost a re-election bid for his council seat last month to serve a fifth term for the county. He also served on the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District's board after the reorganization of the South Shore Railroad in 1977. Carmichael's cause of death was not revealed.
Even though Carmichael had been ill and missed several meetings in early 2008, his presence and experience on the council still was admired.
"He had vast knowledge and lots of experience. He'll be sorely missed," said Council President Bob Poparad. He said the county soon will develop a plan to honor Carmichael.
Carmichael, who was born in Gary, was a dental prosthetics technician and owned his own dental laboratory in Chesterton. He learned the trade after serving in the U.S. Navy.
County Commissioner Bob Harper said although he didn't serve on the commission with Carmichael, the councilman put "his heart into everything he did" related to the county.
"He was extremely interested and devoted to county government," Harper said.
County GOP Chairman Chuck Williams said Carmichael had a massive impact on the county's development, especially in founding NICTD and opening a government center in north Porter County and in development of the Porter County Expo Center. Even before serving the county, Williams said Carmichael served the public when he served on a township board.
"There's probably not anyone alive today that has their handprints on more things to deal with Porter County than Bill Carmichael," Williams said.
Competitive shooting was one of Carmichael's hobbies, and in 1977, he was named to the U.S. International Muzzle Loading Trap Team, which competed internationally. Carmichael was named to muzzle loading halls of fame in Friendship, Ind., and Reno, Nev.
Open viewing will be from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Chesterton location of Edmonds & Evans Funeral Homes, 517 Broadway. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Liberty Bible Church, 824 N. Calumet Ave. in Chesterton.
Carmichael is survived by his wife of 56 years, Suzy; three sons, Steve, Scott and Hal; grandsons Robbie Conklin, Aaron, Ryne, Matt, Dane, Jordan and Ian Carmichael, and Nick Conklin; and granddaughter Ali Carmichael.
