COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Branch County has lost one of its favorite physicians. 92-year old Dr. William Nettleman of Coldwater died on Tuesday at Maple Lawn Medical Care Facility. A memorial service will take place at 6:00 pm Saturday, January 2 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater with visitation prior to the service starting at 4:30 at the funeral home. Dr. Nettleman, a native of Toledo, Ohio, served 3-and-a-half years in World War II in the Army Air Force and was commissioned as a weather officer. He graduated from medical school at the University of Michigan in 1951 and Bill came to Coldwater the next year as an associate of Harold J. Meier, M.D. He practiced medicine in Coldwater for 33 years, retiring in 1985. Several years ago he was among those named as Family Physician of the year by the Michigan State Medical Society. He served as Chief of Staff at CHC and later 6 years on the hospital board. In 1996 he was chosen as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. Bill was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Noon Rotary Club and a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir.
He and his wife of 62 years, Sally, who survives, then moved to Vincent Lake where he had a large vegetable garden and was a Master Gardener. Bill enjoyed fishing, woodworking, raising honey bees, and giving talks on nature to schools and clubs in Michigan and Arizona. Memorials may be directed to the CHC Foundation or First Presbyterian Church.
