Charles William Fechtig, 81, of Evansville, Ind. and formerly of Carmi, died Monday, Feb. 18, at Hamilton Memorial Hospital in McLeansboro. He was born February 3, 1932, in Carmi, to William (Willie) and Nell Fechtig. He married Frances Ruth (Winter) Fechtig on Dec. 28, 1952, in Carmi, who preceded him in death on February 19, 2012.

Bill was educated in White county rural schools and graduated from Carmi High School in 1948 and the University of Illinois in 1952. He served as an officer in the United State Marine Corps from 1953-1957 and later returned to the University of Illinois graduating from its School of Law in 1960 earning membership in The Order of the Coif and serving as Editor-in-Chief of its law review.

Following his admission to practice, Bill was a general practitioner in Carmi for 27 years with an emphasis in real estate and mineral law, contracts and appellate law. In 1987, he became In-House Counsel for Marathon Oil Company in Robinson. After retirement from Marathon in 2000, he and Frances relocated to Evansville, Ind. where he returned to private law practice.

Bill also was a Licensed Pastor of the United Methodist Church and served as Pastor of three White County churches - Big Prairie, Concord and Maunie – from 1987 until 2012.

He is survived by: brothers, Norman (Margie) Fechtig of Carmi and Allen (Mary Ruth) Fechtig of Albany, Ore.; three daughters, Amy (David) Wood, of Allen, Tx., Mary (Elizabeth Estes) of Chicago and Martha (Jeff) Ahlers of Evansville, Ind.; a grandson, Nick Ahlers; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

Memorials can be made to Big Prairie, Concord and Maunie United Methodist Churches. Stendeback Family Funeral Home of Carmi is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences may be left at stendebackfamilyfuneralhome.com.