Bill (Willmer) Jerome Otto, 75, died Jan. 18, 2013, at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.
He was born Oct. 4, 1937, in Warroad, Minn., to the late Hattie and Albert Otto.
He graduated from Falls High School in International Falls, Minn.
He joined the United States Navy in 1955 and served this nation for 26 years, a Vietnam veteran and staunch patriot.
Bill was a graduate of Florida Community College and a small business owner in Jacksonville, Fla. He owned and operated real estate offices and an auto repair shop after he retired from military service.
He was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
The family is grateful for the excellent and compassionate care he received from Dr. Miten Patel and the staff at Cancer Specialists of North FL and the Short Stay and Critical Care Units at Memorial Hospital.
He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth of 41 years. His survivors include his children Teresa Otto of Jacksonville, Fla.; Sandra Perez and her children Michelle, Rey, and Luis, all of Corpus Christi, Texas; LCDR (Ret.) Michael Otto and his wife Helen and their children Victoria and Kevin of Jacksonville, Fla.; Sean (Jill) Breen of Garden City, Mich.; Christopher (Lieanne) Breen of Tampa, Fla.; Jennifer (Roger) Ralls of Jacksonville, N.C.; John Otto of Los Angeles, Calif., and his daughter Angelyna of Highland, Ind.
He is also survived by his siblings Willard (Tish) Otto of Ray, Minn.; Laurence (Carol) Otto of Warroad, Minn.; Judy (Romane) Mortenson of Warroad, Minn.; Kenneth (Diane) Otto of Ray, Minn.; and Peg (Jeff) Tweten of Glyndon, Minn.
In addition, he is survived by his aunt Amelia (Tootie) Janson of Warroad, Minn.; and sister-in-law Nancy (Dr. Carl) White and their son Andrew of Columbia, S.C.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7801 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211, with the Rev. Mark Atkinson officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 1:45 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
Burial will be immediately following the service at Arlington Park Funeral Home at 6920 Lone Star Road.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Foundation, 7801 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211.
