William Michael Shapiro

William Shapiro passed away on April 16 after a short illness. Bill was the beloved husband of Chantal, father of Claude and Catherine, grandfather of Ann, Emma, Samantha, Nicolas, and Dean, great-grandfather of Addison, father-in-law of Stephen and Robin, grandfather-in-law of Sydney and Kim. Born in Minneapolis on September 14, 1936, Bill graduated from Harvard University in 1958 and the Thunderbird School of International Management in 1965. After his graduation from Harvard, Bill traveled throughout Europe and eventually took a job in Morocco with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, where he met Chantal Roy, a fellow employee from France who would become his wife. After they married, Bill and Chantal moved to the United States and eventually settled in the Chicago area. There, Bill pursued a long and successful career as a plant location consultant. Upon retirement, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his lifelong love of modern architecture, serving for more than 15 years as a docent for the Chicago Architecture Foundation. He wrote, “I feel my greatest accomplishment has been presenting our masterpieces of architecture to visitors from many nations.” Bill’s greatest passion, however, was nurturing his family. He was a devoted husband, a father who always had time for his children, and a grandfather who relished the role he played in his grandchildren’s lives. His family and friends remember him for his intellect, his curiosity, the joy he took in sharing his knowledge, his open acceptance of all people, and his frequent, generous laugh.

A private funeral was held on Friday, April 23. A recording of the livestream may be viewed at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/wilmette-il/william-shapiro-10158258. Click on "view video" under the funeral service section. For information: call Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home at 847-256-5700.