William E. Silkworth, age 70, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Saint Anne Hospice Suites, after an extended illness, surrounded by his loving family.

Bill was born on December 11, 1955, in Port Huron, Michigan, the son of Dorothy Bier. He attended Ivy Tech and went on to work as a 401(k) processor at Lincoln Life for twenty-eight years before retiring in 2019.

Bill was a faithful member of Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir for twenty-five years. An avid Chicago sports fan, he faithfully cheered on the Bears and Blackhawks. He also enjoyed playing golf and being a member of the JERK League. Throughout the years, he coached youth soccer and played softball and broom hockey.

On October 11, 1980, Bill married Beth M. Roach in Fort Wayne. Together, they shared more than forty-five years of marriage and built a life centered around family.

Surviving are his wife Beth; two sons, William T. "Bill" (Rebecca) Silkworth, of New Haven, and Andrew J. (Brittney) Silkworth, of Cicero, Indiana; five grandchildren, and one brother, Ken Silkworth, of Fort Wayne. He was preceded in death by his mother, Dorothy (Bier) Adams, and a sister, Sally Lewis.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 3:00-7:00 P.M. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave., Fort Wayne, Indiana. Recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be held at 2:30 P.M. prior to visitation at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, 7215 Saint Joe Road, Fort Wayne. The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 A.M.

Interment will follow in Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer's Association , Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, or the Saint Joseph Hospice Suites of Saint Anne Home and Retirement Community.

To sign the online register or to send condolences, please visit www.divinemercyfuneralhome.org.