Who is Bill Putman and Neenee Putman? Meet the Putman patriarch and wife as they die in tragic crash

Bill Putman, a member of the multi-generational Putman family, and his wife, who rose to fame with the reality TV show Meet The Putmans, have passed away in a car crash. According to Entertainment Now, the reality TV star and his wife, Neenee Putman also known as Barb, were traveling with other members of their family when the accident took place earlier this week, on September 26. Apart from the death of the two senior-most Putman family members, the accident also resulted in the death of their daughter-in-law, Megan.

According to The New York Post, the family was traveling in their jeep when a semi-truck struck their vehicle. This resulted not only in their deaths, but also lead to the injuries of five other family members who were present in the car. The Tuscola County Sheriff's department released a statement on Facebook, saying:

"Of the 8 occupants in the Jeep, 3 were pronounced deceased on scene. All other occupants of the Jeep were transported to respective hospitals by helicopter and MMR, some in critical condition."

More about Bill Putman and his wife Neenee Putman, as members of the Putman family are involved in a deadly car crash

Bill Putman, whose full name was William E. "Bill" Putman II, was born on September 23, 1960, in Michigan. Barb Putman, on the other hand, was born in Columbus, Ohio, on March 24, 1960. Not much is known about their early lives, but according to Famous Birthdays, the couple married in 1982.

They then welcomed four children, two daughters and two sons over the course of their forty three years of marriage. The couple initially lived in Lake Huron, Michigan, before moving to their current family home in Cass City.

The Putman family first recieved nationwide fame when they starred in their own reality TV show, Meet The Putmans, on TLC. The show, which was canceled after just one season, followed the family's unique lifestyle, with three generations of the family living together in the same 35,000 square foot house. Bill Putman and his family, who run their own construction business, Putman Developing and Demolition, later started a YouTube channel called Growing Up With The Putmans.

The news of the tragic accident involving Bill Putman, who lived in Cass City, a village in Tuscola County, Michigan, was first announced in a joint statement on September 27 by the remaining family members. The statement read:

"I come to you with a heavy heart asking for your prayers. Our family was in a tragic car accident and we lost Papa, Neenee, and Aunt Megan. They have gone home to be with the Lord.Please keep Uncle Blake, Lulu, Alena, Noah, and Gia in your prayers as they remain in the hospital, we are asking for complete healing and strength for each of them. Thank you for every prayer, message and act of love. Your support means more than words can express."

According to the Tuscola Today, Bill Putman was arrested earlier this year in April after he was found engaging in disorderly conduct. He allgegedly walked up to a referee and shoved him during a match involving his grandson. He later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in a public space and was later placed on probation.

Just a few days before his death, Bill Putman celebrated his sixty fifth birthday, with his wife sharing a heartfelt post to mark the occasion. She wrote:

"Happy birthday to my incredible husband! Bill, welcome to our Medicare years! You are truly a blessing to me and our family. You inspire us each day through your strengths, wisdom and determination. You love us unconditionally and have always been consistent with that even through our faults."

She further added:

"You, Bill, are my best friend and I am so grateful for you. You bring joy and laughter into my life. I am who I am because of you. You show up for people with loyalty, humility and compassion. You lift others up and point them to Christ. You are a soldier for Christ and you leave no stone unturned. I pray God blesses you with health, happiness and continued purpose."

His recent legal troubles were not the only ones Bill Putman faced in the past few years. In 2018, he was indited in a case involving him buying an AR-15 rifle, but the charge was later dismissed by the judge.

According to WNEM5, in 2022 he was found guilty of four counts of assault and battery after attacking two construction workers employed by the family business. He was later given a thirty day sentance which he served at the Tuscola County Jail.

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Putman suffers from congestive heart failure, a chronic condition where the heart muscles are unable to pump blood smoothly, leading to shortness of breath and fatigue. According to the Huron Daily Tribune, in 2023 the Putman family sued the Tuscola police department, stating that Bill Putman was "intentionally" denied proper medication during his prison stay. Due to their alleged negligence, he became critically ill and was later rushed to the hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries.

At the moment, the driver of the semi truck that collided with the Putman family vehicle has been arrested. Police are currently investigating the details of the accident.

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