William "Bill" Virgil Cantoni of Monticello, IN passed away on May 23, 2024, after a long and
happy life of 103 years. He was a resident at White Oak Assisted Living since 2019.

Born October 18, 1920 as the youngest child of Federico and Mary Cantoni in Logansport,
Indiana, he was an avid fisherman, native American artifact hunter and collector, and was well
known in the community for his repertoire of songs and poems which he would perform with any
encouragement at all (or without). He also crafted his own arrowheads, which he would gift to
friends and acquaintances. He was also known for the molded lead figures he would pass out,
many of which are still to be found in business locations ranging from restaurants to dentist
offices.
He was a dedicated Boy Scout and learned swimming and life-saving among many other skills.
When he joined the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, he was tasked with teaching
swimming to the recruits. By the end of the war he was a Bosun's Mate on a troop transport ship
in the South Pacific. He married Doris M. Hunt on July 17, 1942. She predeceased him on
March 31, 2010.
He worked after the war on the railroad, and as a fireman for the city of Logansport. He
eventually went to work for Northern Indiana Public Service Company where he retired in 1982.
He was proud that he had been retired longer than he had worked for NIPSCO. He also
operated the amusement arcade at Indiana Beach, which was a long time family business.
He was a member of the Indiana Archeological Society and the William Paca Lodge in
Logansport. He attended most of the class reunions for the Logansport class of 1939 (which
happened monthly). He also was a member of the Cracker Barrel, the retired NIPSCO
employee group, where he rarely missed a meeting until his later years.

He will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his two children, Gail F. (George)
Zinsmeister of Sunderland, MA, and David F. (Judy) Cantoni of Monticello, his three
grandchildren, Crispin, Amber and Alex and three great grandchildren Hannah, Colin and Kaia.
He had two sisters, Lucy Powlen(deceased) and Edith Bessignano(deceased) and was held in
great regard by his nephews, Mick, Tom(deceased), Tim Bessignano, and Rick
Powlen(deceased).

There will be no funeral ceremony, but there will be a gathering of friends and family of Bill Cantoni for a Celebration of Life at one of his favorite spots, Riverside Restaurant and Lounge. It will be on Saturday the 8th of June, from 12 noon to 2pm. Please come and share memories and stories of Bill.

Deibels Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Cantoni family.