William F Howell

William (Bill) F. Howell, 84, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2020, after a long battle with vascular dementia complicated by COVID-19. Bill was born in Bloomington, Indiana to Ada (Ooley) Howell and Roderic Howell who have preceded him in death along with his brother Carl Howell. Bill moved to Indianapolis, Indiana and attended Ben Davis High School in 1954. While in high school he went on a blind date with Jacqueline (Jackie) Conway and the high school sweethearts were married soon after on December 11, 1954. Bill worked at Eli Lilly and Company for over 35 years as a power plant operator before retiring in 1991.

Bill and Jackie shared a love of travel. During their marriage, they traveled to many exotic and tropical places. But their favorite trips had to be Australia and their cruise to Alaska. After retirement Jackie and Bill moved to Venice, Florida, for many years where she and Bill made lasting friendships. Bill and Jackie moved back to Indiana to be closer to their family when Jackie passed away from a long battle with lung cancer in 2007.

Bill, or “Bumps” (as he was affectionally known by family and friends) was a proficient Ham radio operator where he made many international friends. He visited them in Europe and Australia where they remained in contact. Bill also excelled in growing plants of all kinds especially orchids and tropical plants.

Bill was a football coach for St. Joseph Catholic School in the mid 1960’s where he took a small school squad to the city championship. While they fell short of the win, many players have mentioned what an impact he made in their lives. That love of sports transferred his loyalty to the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana University sports program and the Indiana Pacers.

The family would like to also extend its thanks to the nurses and staff in Cherished Memories at Cumberland Trace, Plainfield, Indiana.

“Bumps” is survived by his loving daughters Joyce (Howell) Simons (John) and Debra (Howell) Reed (Mark). He will be sadly missed by his three grand-daughters Stefanie “Tiny” (Simons) Dunn (Jason), Lindsay (Reed) Cox (Ben) and Andrea (Reed) Fox (Chad). “Bumps” was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Lauren and Ella Dunn; Griffin, Graham and Grady Cox and Conor Fox. Arrangements are being made by Crown Hill Cemetery where a private, family service will be conducted on Friday, December 11. Due to the current pandemic, his family feels their friends can provide support through prayers and memories of Bill at www.crownhill.org. A Celebration of Life will be planned next summer. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.