William Ray Goins

Bill was born in Rushville, Indiana on December 15, 1952. He was a resident of Rushville, Indiana all of his life. He was the son of Louella F. (Bradley) and the late Joseph O. Goins. A 1971 graduate of Rushville Consolidated High School, he served in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in 1974. He also graduated from Connersville Area Vocational School where he attended from 1976 to 1980. He was on the Advisory board of Wernle Youth and Family Treatment Center Board of Directors as well as the Chairperson of the Wernle Development Committee. He was a member of the Indiana landmarks, Rush County Heritage, American Legion Post 150, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge and was President of the Rush County Boys & Girls Club Board of Directors and the Open Book Literacy Board of Directors. He was appointed to the Ivy Tech Board by Governor Evan Bayh from 1995 – 2004. He was also a member of the Rush County Association for Retarded Citizens and member for the National Association for Retarded Citizens. He was a member of the Rush County Foundation Advisory Board and City of Rushville Board of Works. Bill was employed for 30 plus years at Visteon Automotive as a plumber/pipefitter and was very active with his union (IUE-CWA 919) where he held many offices. He was a member and trustee of CWA-IUE Union and vice president of CWA-IUW 919. He was also a delegate of the national convention, several district conventions, workshops and seminars. After the announcement that Visteon would be shutting its doors, Bill traveled to Washington, DC and lobbied successfully for federal funding to help his fellow employees obtain training and further their education through the Trade Act Program (TAA). Bill was elected to City Council in Rushville from 1992 to 2003 serving as President for eight years and under five mayors. He was reappointed in 2008 and served as Council President. He also campaigned for Mayor in the 2012 election. One project Bill was extremely proud to have been a part of was the renovation of the Booker T. Washington School which he was instrumental in spearheading. The school is now a community center which serves Rush County in many capacities. He was a charter member and President of the Fayette-Henry-Rush NAACP for more than 30 years and was also the First Vice President of the Indiana NAACP State Conference. He received numerous awards including the City of Rushville’s Community Leader award, the City of Rushville’s Man of the Year award, NAACP State President’s award, NAACP State Loren Henry award and an honorary degree of Associate of Science in college community service from Ivy Tech Community College. Frederic Douglas once said, “Man’s greatness consists in his ability to do, and the proper application of his powers to do things needed to be done. This statement best describes the caring and compassion Bill has for his fellow men and women and the passion to make a change. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph O. Goins and his brother, David V. Goins. He leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Louella F. (Bradley)Goins of Rushville; three sons, Derrick (Kristie) Goins, Westfield, and Trevor (Kristy) Goins, Dallas, TX; their mother, Joan Hayes, Connersville and John (Michele) Egielske, Rushville. Two granddaughters, Kierstan Goins, Indianapolis, and Kira Goins, Westfield; Six brothers, Larry Goins, Jeffersonville; Terry (Lorna) Goins, Anderson; Ricky (Kim) Goins, Cincinnati, OH; Dennis (Desiree) Goins, Indianapolis; Kris (SoVonna) Goins, Atlantic Highlands, NJ; two sisters, JoElla Hawkins, Marion, and Doris McDougal, Indianapolis; a very special friend, Becky Gibson, Connersville, and a host of very special nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 2 PM in Rushville Consolidated High School Gymnasium, 1201 Lions Path, Rushville, IN 46173. Friends are welcome to visit the family from 11 AM until the time of service in the gymnasium. Burial will be held on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 12:30 PM in Rushville East Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made out to Ivy Tech Richmond Foundation to the Bill Goins Minority Student Scholarship Fund, 2357 Chester Blvd, Richmond, IN 47374.

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William Ray Goins

December 15, 1952 - January 11, 2020