William "Bill" A. Farney

William Alan “Bill” Farney , age 91, passed away on Friday, November 4, 2022 at his home in Indianapolis. Bill was born in Hutchinson Kansas on February 13, 1931, to Earl and Camilla (Corcoran) Farney, who preceded him in death. He attended Hutchinson High School, graduating in 1949. While attending Kansas University Bill participated in both Track and Field and Cross-Country team and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He graduated from Kansas with a degree in education in 1953. He served in the Marine Corps from 1952-1956 and was stationed in Japan. After his discharge, Bill started a 60+year career in sales, from which he never really retired. A job transfer brought the family to Indianapolis in 1964.

Bill is survived by his wife of 68 years and the love of his life, Cathy(Adamson) Farney, his children, Laura (Bruce) Cook Carmel In, Sarah (Tom) Gaither Ventura Ca, Sue (Phil) Mokris Valrico Fl, Tim Farney Carmel In, Chris (Margy) Farney Indianapolis In, 9 grandchildren, Megan (Jarrod Krisiloff), Emily (Tim) Gavaghan, Gretchen (Shyam) Bahadur, Kathleen (Andy) Stayer, Chad (Bianca) Gaither, John (Megan) Farney, Tyler (Danielle) Mokris, Thomas Mokris, Caroline Farney,10 great grandchildren, Van, Dax, Will, Jane, Etta, Elliott, Maggie, Addison, Landon, and Ella, his cousin Ann Fleming, several sisters in law, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter in law, Sandra Farney (2018).

Bill has been a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church for over 58 years where he coached CYO Track and Field for many years and was Youth Director. In more recent years Bill was a Eucharistic Minister and an active participant in SPRED. Bill was a dedicated volunteer at the St. Vincent de Paul Food pantry into his 90’s.

Bill was a passionate and dedicated USATF, IHSAA, and CYO Track and Field and Cross-Country Official for over 35 years. While Bill had the opportunity to officiate in the 1987 Pan Am Games and the 1988 US Track Field Olympic Trials, and at the collegiate level at Indiana University, he truly loved officiating CYO and High School meets, especially at Bishop Chatard. For Bill, getting to the know the athletes and following their athletic careers brought him great joy. He was an avid runner himself, running in many 500 Mini Marathon races. At the age of 70, Bill won his age group. His last race was at the age of 83.

Bill thoroughly loved the outdoors. Family camping trips, hiking, canoeing and kayaking were frequent. Backyard family volleyball games were a rite of passage for anyone joining the family. Bill’s love for sledding carried on for generations. His last sledding adventure was with his great children at the age of 90.

Visitation will be Thursday, November 10th from 9:30-11:00 at St. Pius X Catholic Church 7200 Sarto Drive Indianapolis, In. with a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:00. Arrangements are being handled by Feeney-Hornak.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Bishop Chatard High School, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and the Catholic Youth Organization of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.