[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8796]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM LOUIS ``BILL'' HORTSMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LUKE MESSER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2015

  Mr. MESSER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
William Louis ``Bill'' Hortsman, a devoted family man, respected 
Hoosier leader, and a selfless contributor to the Jennings County 
community. Bill leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Ruth Ann Hortsman, 
and his two children, Duane and Denise.
  Mr. Hortsman graduated from North Vernon High School in 1951 and, in 
addition to attending First United Methodist Church in North Vernon, 
was also a member of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in 
Charlestown.
  Bill is a true patriot who served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955 
after graduating from high school. In his early career, Bill worked for 
Hortsman Standard Service Station and Hortsman's Standard Oil Delivery.
  Bill was also well-known for his commitment to his community. He was 
a life-long volunteer at the Center Township Fire Department, and he 
served as Chief for eight years. Bill was also a bus driver for 
Jennings County Schools for 4 decades, Justice of the Peace for Center 
Township for eight years, Jennings County Treasurer for four terms, and 
a worker in the Jennings County Treasurer's Office for 28 years before 
retiring in 2008. In his free time, which was limited, Mr. Hortsman 
enjoyed word puzzles and the outdoors, including fishing trips and yard 
work.
  Bill was not only a valuable asset to his community, but also my 
friend. He frequently attended my Coffee with the Congressman meetings 
in the 6th District of Indiana and was a long-time supporter of my 
efforts to serve the State of Indiana. I will always be grateful for 
the encouragement he gave me and the impact he made on me throughout my 
political career. He will be missed.
  Today, it is my privilege to honor the life of William Louis ``Bill'' 
Hortsman. My thoughts and prayers go out to Bill's family, and may God 
comfort those he left behind with His peace and strength.

                          ____________________