Our Staff

Bill Zimmerman

Owner, Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

I am Bill Zimmerman, a 1971 graduate of Elkhart High School.

I served in the United States Army from 1972 – 1974.  A 1976 graduate of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science.  I am a Life member of the Elkhart Elks Lodge #425, and a member of the Elkhart Historic & Preservation Commission.  I am a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.  Current Chairman of the Trustees at the church, and a member of the Administrative Council at the church.   I run the sound board for Sunday Services at the church.  I am currently a resident of Bristol, Indiana.

Hobbies include collecting old cars, bowling and fishing.

I present the student of the month award for the Elkhart Community School Systems.

Tara Cooper- Hatton

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Tara has been with the funeral home since 2010.  She is a licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer and is also a Licensed Pre-Arrangement Counselor. Married to Bryan they have 1 daughter, two dogs and a cat.  Family is very important to her, and she enjoys spending time with close and extended family, traveling, camping, and kayaking.  Tara enjoys volunteering opportunities, helping in her community, and is a member of Elkhart Evening Optimist Club.

“ I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, helping others in their time of need is truly what my calling is”. ~Tara

Kevin Walker

Licensed Funeral Director/Embalmer

Kevin came to work at Walley-Mills-Zimmerman and Elkhart Cremation Services in October 2022. He’s a 1983 graduate of Mid-America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, IN. Kevin served in the US Army from 1983 until 1985 and in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991. He’s a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Kevin and his wife Toni, live in Bristol, Indiana and have two cats, Stu and Cosmo. They enjoy spending time with their 6 grandchildren; traveling; watching college sports; scuba diving and spending time outdoors.

Haillie Williams

Assistant / Office

My name is Haillie Williams, I am 31 years old and have 2 beautiful rambunctious children, my daughter who will be 13 and my son is 8 as well as a 5-year-old girl Red-nose Pitbull. Having been born and raised in Elkhart I am a 2009 Elkhart Central Graduate. I was involved with Lifeline Youth for Christ Ministries from 4^th grade until 12 grade where I was able to go help families that suffered from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and many more mission trips and adventures through-out the years. During my time at Elkhart Central, I was a part of the Blazer Brigade Drumline. In 2006 I was honored to perform in Hawaii aboard the USS Missouri and there on to Europe in 2008 with the Indiana Ambassador of Music to perform aboard 7 counties. I graduated in 2018 from Stratford Career Institute with a degree in Funeral Service Education. In January 2023 I will be continuing my education at Mid-America College. I am looking forward to continuing my education and serving the community with dignity and respect with Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home.

Barb Newcomer

Office Manger

 My name is Barb Newcomer. I have lived in the Elkhart area my entire adult life. I am a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Rochester, IN. I am a ma, and a grandma who LOVES to spend time with her Grandkids and family. In my spare time you can find me in my ol’ jon boat fishing and having some God time.   I enjoy singing, kayaking, quilting, sketching, making blankets, and playing dominos with my Parents and my aunt.

I have worked in several different kinds of businesses, hair stylist, office manager for automobile service and repair, rental of RV’s, and bartending and waitressing. I also spent a year and a half doing mission work in Haiti. I find that I love being able to serve others, which has brought me to Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home. I hope during the roughest time in a person’s life, that maybe I can help and be a beacon of light somewhere in the process to the families that trust us with their loved one’s care.   

Robert John "Jr"

Grounds and maintenance management

Hello I am Robert K. Johns “J.R.”

I am a Graduate of Penn High School Class of 1986

I am also president of the fraternal order of eagles aerie 395.

I enjoy in helping with the maintenance and upkeep of our facilities so when our guest visit everything is in order and looks great.

I have many experiences in my life such as: retail sales, customer service, automotive mechanic,

Vocalist, learning guitar and drums. Bowling, billiard’s, horseshoes, corn hole.

I am currently a resident of Osceola Indiana

And will be more involved with the city of Elkhart

Thank you for the opportunity of serving you and taking care of your loved ones. 

Steve Porter

Cremation Technician / Assistant

      I came to work at Elkhart Cremation Service and Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home in May 2022. I have been in funeral care for eight years. I’m a 1992 graduate of Vincennes University, and a 1995 graduate of Indiana University.

                My wife Kimberly of 27 years and I live in South Bend, Indiana and attend Kern Road Mennonite Church. We enjoy spending time having bon fires with friends, family, and our two children Katie and Michael. Babysitting our five-month Granddaughter Clara is also time well spent. Watching college sports and being a member of the Moose Lodge #599 in Elkhart, Indiana is also very Fulfilling.

Thomas Sheley

Property manager

Hello y’all,

I’m Thomas Sheley pronounced (She-Lee). I’m a 1995 graduate of Jackson Co. High in Gainesboro TN. I was a proud member of the Air Force from 1997 to 2001. I was a Journeyman Jet Mechanic and Flight Operations Coordinator. In 1999 I went to Saudi Arabia where I was a Security Escort for local personnel and convoys. In 2009-10 I attended Nashville Auto Diesel College. The last couple years I have been assisting an elderly woman with her errands and appointments. I performed the maintenance and was a salesperson at Martins Green House in South Bend. I also run a small mechanic business part time. I have built, remodeled, and landscaped homes off and on since I got out of the service. “A jack of all trades is a master of none, but often times better than a master of one,” William Shakespeare.

This variety of skills has brought me to be the property manager for Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home and Crematory.