William Imel

Published 12:09 pm Thursday, April 21, 2016

TAMPA, FL – William “Arnold” Imel, 90, passed away April 18, 2016. He was born April 14, 1926 in Galesburg, Illinois to the late Leo and Anna (Klobnak) Imel. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara and Margo; and brothers, Ross, Jack and Tony.

William Imel

Arnold was a retired Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He served 20 years, including tours in WWII to Iwo Jima. Following his service in Annapolis, Maryland, he became stationed in Tampa in 1962 and remained here since then. He was a longtime member of New Hope Church which was formerly the First United Methodist Church of Brandon. Arnold enjoyed gardening, traveling, playing Bingo and steel guitar, writing music and writing memoirs.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Linda Drake and her husband Michael of Brandon, Florida; sisters, Carmen Imel of San Marcos, Texas and Josephine Ann Smith and her husband Bob of San Diego, California; and granddaughter, Melinda Drake and her fiancé Derek Hovey of Tampa.

There will be a graveside service with military honors at Edgewood Cemetery in Windsor, North Carolina on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 12:00 noon where arrangements will be entrusted to Garrett Sykes Funeral Service. Memories and condolences may be left online at www.sunset-fh.com.

TAMPA, FL – William “Arnold” Imel, 90, passed away April 18, 2016. He was born April 14, 1926 in Galesburg, Illinois to the late Leo and Anna (Klobnak) Imel. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara and Margo; and brothers, Ross, Jack and Tony.Arnold was a retired Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. He served 20 years, including tours in WWII to Iwo Jima. Following his service in Annapolis, Maryland, he became stationed in Tampa in 1962 and remained here since then. He was a longtime member of New Hope Church which was formerly the First United Methodist Church of Brandon. Arnold enjoyed gardening, traveling, playing Bingo and steel guitar, writing music and writing memoirs. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Linda Drake and her husband Michael of Brandon, Florida; sisters, Carmen Imel of San Marcos, Texas and Josephine Ann Smith and her husband Bob of San Diego, California; and granddaughter, Melinda Drake and her fiancé Derek Hovey of Tampa.There will be a graveside service with military honors at Edgewood Cemetery in Windsor, North Carolina on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 12:00 noon where arrangements will be entrusted to Garrett Sykes Funeral Service. Memories and condolences may be left online at www.sunset-fh.com.