William "Bill" R. Mettler

William “Bill” R. Mettler, 77, of Bluffton, passed away on Sunday afternoon, October 19, 2025, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne surrounded by his children and family. He was born on December 29, 1947, in Bluffton to Robert E. and Virginia R. (Hughes) Mettler. Bill graduated from Bluffton High School in 1967 and continued his education at Ball State University. He worked as a mail carrier at the Bluffton Post Office for 37½ years. “Coach Bill” loved athletics and touched the lives of countless youth in the community through his years of coaching and encouragement. He coached in the Bluffton Youth Baseball Program for over 57 years. A proud Bluffton Tiger fan, Bill also coached boys’ and girls’ middle school basketball, as well as high school girls’ softball and junior varsity basketball, for many years. He was a die-hard New York Yankees fan and an enthusiastic supporter of Indiana University basketball and football—he never missed a game! Bill was also a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Bluffton for more than 50 years, as well as a member of the Elks Lodge #796 of Bluffton, the Bluffton Moose Lodge, and the American Legion Post #111 – S.A.L. He also served as treasurer on the Bluffton Park Board. On December 1, 1991, at the First United Methodist Church, Bill married Janis S. (Bates) Mettler. Survivors include his wife, Janis S. Mettler of Bluffton; a son, Shawn M. Mettler of Fort Wayne; and a daughter, Marci S.I. (Spencer) Copeland of Greenwood, Indiana. He was a loving “Grandpa Bill” to eight grandchildren: Trey Mettler, Kiersten Botts, Kayla Brooks, Lindsey Biers, Ethan Mettler, Sophia Copeland, Cora Copeland, and Callan Copeland, and one great-grandson, Carson Botts. Bill is also survived by his brother, James “Jim” Mettler of Bluffton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. Mettler (1985) and Virginia R. Mettler (1994); his son, Shane A. Mettler (2004); and his brother, Jack L. Mettler (2022). Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Bluffton with Rev. Ed Fisher officiating. Burial will follow at Six Mile Cemetery in Bluffton. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, at Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home, and for one hour prior to the service at the church. An Elks Lodge #796 Memorial Service will take place at the conclusion of calling hours on Friday at the funeral home. To honor Bill’s love for his New York Yankees and Indiana Hoosiers, friends are encouraged to dress in their favorite Yankees or Hoosiers attire. Memorials may be made in Bill’s memory to the First United Methodist Church or the Bluffton Youth Baseball Program and can be sent to the funeral home. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Lemler family of Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton. Friends can share memories and condolences with the Mettler family at www.thomarich.com.

William "Bill" R. Mettler

December 29, 1947 - October 19, 2025