Charles W. “Bill” McCarns, Jr.

Charles W. "Bill" McCarns, Jr., 80, of Hall, Indiana, passed away on August 19, 2025. The following is an obituary written by his loving family.

On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Charles William “Bill” McCarns Jr, a 36-year resident of Hall, Indiana and United States Air Force Vietnam Veteran, was reunited with his beloved late wife, Paula McCarns. He was a well-respected and loved man who was not only a husband, but also a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

As the Great Atlantic Hurricane of September 1944 was making its way up the east coast, Bill was on his way into the world. The son of the late Charles William McCarns and Margaret, he made his grand entrance on Thursday, September 14, 1944, in Wilmington, Delaware.

His Newark High School career wrapped up in 1963 and included accolades like State Long and High Jump State Record holder and a pretty respectable basketball and football career that he only humbly shared when asked.

Rather than entering university directly following high school, at age 18, he chose to serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1963-1967 where enlisted into his MOS of Personnel Logistics. His military duty took him to serve in Vietnam, as well as to the Philippines, Wake Island, Japan, Montana, and Texas.

Bill had a love for Honda motorcycles which he and his two sons, Scott and Charlie, shared as well. You could find Bill drag racing motorcycles in his youth and as an adult climbing Pikes Peak, Bar Trail, or the Manitou Incline between his time selling bikes at his Honda dealership that he and his brother-in-law co-owned.

The love of travel stayed in his blood as his travel memory log boasts 41 of the 50 United States and Canada. He not only traveled for military duty, but also for his love of motorcycles, music, and his career as a Union (Local 440) Welder and Steamfitter. To this day, Local 440 members young and old have great memories to share when you mention McCarns in their presence. He mentored many tradesmen and women in his career.

While on the road on his work travels, he met the love of his life, Paula. On July 17, 2000, after a nearly 17-year committed relationship with Paula, they were united by marriage. He didn’t shy away from the package deal she presented; Paula came with two girls, Nicole and Amanda, who were non-negotiable. In 1989 they found themselves in the small town of Hall, Indiana running the Hall Store & Deli; a family-owned historic grocery store that many still talk about and miss today.

Bill will always be remembered by his big heart and as a man who looked out for others before he considered himself as well as his frugalness that we could all learn from. He loved to make the most of any resource he had and made sure that his people never went without.

His close friends and family will most likely smile and remember him as they see a Busch Light or Milwaukee's Best can as they watch the Indy 500.

Nights beside the fires he would jump start with the flame thrower while listening to old country music or watching Jeopardy and Western movies on the garage TV are where you could find him enjoying the company of his friends.

His grandkids will tip root beer floats and cans of Yoo-hoo in his honor as they remember their Papa and how much he loved them.

Sadly, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Paula McCarns; his sister, Shar Thomas; and his grandson, Tyler Traut.

He is survived by his children, Charles McCarns III (Sarah Tiffany), Scott McCarns (Deana), Nicole L. and Amanda Traut (Leroy Smith II); his grandchildren, Charles IV McCarns, Cody McCarns, Cassidy McCarns, Carson McCarns, Kayla McCarns, Casey Clower (Crystal), Ash Ratts (Bird), Brooke Sweeney (Garrett), Brayden Laycoax and Taylor Traut.

He is also survived by his siblings, Gerald W. McCarns (Janet), Rosemarie Nardozzi (James) and Loey McCarns Nass (Curt).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Disabled American Veterans, Wounded Warrior Project, or local Morgan County food pantry, Churches in Mission.

Inurnment for Bill and Paula together, with military honors, will be in the Crown Hill National Cemetery Cremation - Annex in Indianapolis, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 1pm.