William R. Zellers

Cannelton, Indiana –

William R. “Bill” Zellers, 96, passed away on August 27, 2024, at Linda E. White Hospice House in Evansville.

In 1927, he was born in Tobinsport, a son of Vernon R. and Pearl (Jarrett) Zellers. Bill graduated from Cannelton High School and obtained an associate degree. He was united in marriage in Cannelton, on April 9, 1950, to Jean Ramsey.

Bill was a U.S. Army veteran having served his country during World War II. He was a member of American Legion Post #213 in Tell City. He was also a member of American Stern Wheeler’s Association, Tell City Masonic Lodge #623 and Tell City Shriner’s Club, where he had served as president.

In his younger days, Bill loved being on the river with family and friends. He even built a paddle boat named “Rock Island Queen”, keeping it docked on the Ohio River near “Rock Island”, which is located just above the Cannelton Locks & Dam. In his later years, he built a cabin, barn and a 22-acre lake on property in Tobinsport where the growing Zellers family could continue to gather. The building of the dam for his lake proved beneficial for neighbors and property owners as they no longer had to battle high water or be flooded in. Bill approached the Perry County Commissioners offering to widen that road (now known as Tobinsport Road) if they would pay for the pipe. By working together on the road project, everyone benefited. Bill also enjoyed fishing and hunting and had contracted with “the paper mill” for 15 years supplying them with cranes, bulldozers, dump trucks and other manned equipment.

Bill owned and operated Zellers Construction for over 50 years, never really “retiring” as there was always something for him to work on in Tobinsport. Well into his 90’s Bill would often be seen making daily trips back and forth from Tobinsport to his home in Cannelton, always with a friendly wave to other family members and friends along the way.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Jean Zellers; daughter, Linda Anderson; son, Greg Zellers (Carolyn); grandchildren, Matthew Anderson, Michelle Anderson, Geoffrey Zellers (Audrey), Crystal Rasmussen (Jake), Sarah Niederer (Shane), Ashley Robison (Rhett) and Will Zellers (Hannah) and great grandchildren Grant, Madelyn, Olivia and Sydney Zellers, Tyler Rasmussen, Bo, Bailey and Nash Niederer, Brooklyn and Kallie Robison and Penny Zellers.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM CDT on Saturday, August 31, 2024, at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel with President Roy Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow in Simons Cemetery, Tobinsport with military rites.

Visitation will be from 3:00-7:00 PM on Friday and from 9:00AM until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. There will be a Masonic memorial service at 7:00 PM on Friday.

Memorial contributions may be made to Tobinsport Cemetery Association.