William Griffith Jr. (Billy) was born September 1, 1920, at the family residence on 'D' Street, in Linton, Indiana. The family moved to 333 West Main Street, in Jasonville, Indiana when he was less than one year old.
Billy grew up in Jasonville and attended the Jasonville City Schools.
Upon completion of his schooling, he went to work for his father in the family business, Griffith's Electric, where he learned the electricians trade.
He married the former, Mary Alice Wall, daughter of John William and Nellie Inez Willis Wall, on November 17, 1941.
Their first child, Deloris Marie, was born March 4, 1942, at 333 W. Main Street, in Jasonville. Later, that same year, the family moved to Kendallville, Indiana. Wartime shortages had made it impossible to purchase electrical material so the business had to be closed, at least temperarily.
Billy's two sisters lived in Kendallville and he soon found work at the Flint and Walling Pump Company there.
The couples second child, Robert Bruce was born the following year on December 16, 1943, in Kendallville. He was named for his uncle Bruce, with the first and middle names reversed to avoid confusion in their names, although he has always been known, by the family and most of his friends, as Bruce.
The family returned to Jasonville soon after and Bill resumed work with his father. The two were hired by Maumee Coal Company to do some contract work for them, and the company was so pleased with the quality of their work, that they offered them full-time jobs. Dad felt he was too old to do the strenuous work on a regular basis, but he encouraged Bill to accept their offer, which he did.
Bill and Mary's third child, a son, David William, was born on October 5, 1951, at the Freeman Greene Hospital. He was named David after his uncle David Trowbridge and William after his father and grandfather.
Bill continued to work for Maumee, and later Peabody Coal Company, after they aquired Maumee, until they moved their operations out of the area. He then returned to Griffith's Electric, which was being managed by his younger brother Max, and continued to work there until the business closed in 1963. He then worked for Don's TV, which moved into the same building.
Bill lost his life, in a tragic swimming accident, on September 3, 1969, just two days past his 49th birthday.
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