William Richard Lesch

William “Bill” Richard Lesch 86, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday February 17. He was born in Sellersburg, IN on December 9, 1926. He moved to Indianapolis and attended St. Joan of Arc and Cathedral High School and served in the Navy during WWII. Bill graduated from Butler University in 1949. Bill and the love of his life, Joan, met at the Riviera Club where he worked as a lifeguard. They were married in November of 1950 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Bill worked in the personnel department for RCA, who sent him and his growing family to NYC, NJ and OH before moving them back to Indianapolis, where they became members of St. Pius X parish in 1964. Soon after, Bill took a job in the personnel department at AFNB (now Chase Bank), eventually being promoted to Vice President of Personnel. Bill’s accomplishments and contributions were many. He proudly served on the Board of Directors of Noble of Indiana and The Arc of Indiana, as well as being a member of Knights of Columbus. Later in life, he enjoyed being a career counselor. Bill especially loved spending time with his family at their cottage on Lake Wawasee. He was compassionate, steadfast, adventurous and a spiritually-driven loving husband, father and grandfather. He was an avid reader who loved music, traveling, hiking and camping with his family; he had an endless curiosity about life. Bill was preceded in death by his two sons, Michael and Joseph, his parents, Carl and Elsie, his brother Carl and sisters Margaret and Jane. He is survived by his wife Joan and their children, William (Connie), Timothy (Ellen), John (Betsy), Anne, James (Teresa), Kathryn (Hildred), Tom (Debbie) and niece Tammy Moran. He was beloved and will be greatly missed by his 15 grandchildren. The family wishes to thank all the relatives and dear friends who helped care for Bill near the end of his life, with a special thanks to The Caring Place and caregiver Antonio Mabry. Visitation will take place from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 7200 Sarto Drive, on Friday February 22 and again at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday February 23. The Mass in celebration of his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, followed by interment at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bill’s name to St. Pius X Catholic Church, spxparish.org, A Caring Place, 4609 N. Capital Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46208, fairviewpresbyterian.org, or Noble of Indiana, 7701 East 21st St., Indianapolis, IN 46219, nobleofindiana.org. Services entrusted to Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary and memorial tributes may be offered at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com.