William “Bill” Joseph Baar

William “Bill”  J. Baar, 81, passed peacefully on June 8, 2026, with his family by his side. Born on July 25, 1944, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Robert G. Baar and Angela M. Baar, he was raised on the south side of Indianapolis, attended Sacred Heart High School, and later proudly served his country in the United States Navy. Bill was one of 11 brothers and sisters.

Following his military service from 1962 to 1965, primarily aboard the USS Pyro (AE-24), he remained proud of his service throughout his life and was a member of American Legion Post 145. Bill built a successful career in the pump industry, working for Peerless Pump from 1965 to 1981 before co-founding BBC Pump & Equipment. Throughout his career, Bill earned the respect and admiration of employees, colleagues, customers, and friends through his integrity, work ethic, and commitment to excellence.

Bill’s life was defined by his love of woodworking, restoring classic cars, and spending time on his beloved properties in Brown County and Parke County. Family and friends could often find him in his woodshop, car barn, or tending to and improving those cherished properties. More than the projects themselves, Bill cherished sharing these passions with others and creating lasting memories with those he loved. Some of Bill’s happiest moments were spent on Sanibel Island, Florida, where family vacations became treasured traditions filled with laughter, fishing, shelling, and time together. He found great joy in celebrating life as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

Bill approached life with discipline, determination, and a strong work ethic. He possessed remarkable creativity and an uncanny ability to visualize solutions and bring them to life. Whether crafting a piece of woodworking, restoring a classic car, or solving a complex pump issue, Bill took pride in his work and inspired those around him with his talent, ingenuity, and perseverance.

His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the friendships he treasured, the business he helped build, and the countless lives he touched along the way.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Angela Baar; his sisters, Romona (Dave) Dunnuck and Juli Drake; and his brothers, Mark Baar and Dennis Baar. He is survived by his wife, Peggy Coop Baar; his son, Ryan (Renea) Johnson; his grandson, Evan Johnson; his sisters, Margaret “Peggy” Trickle, Joan “Joey” Reese, and Suzanne (Charles) Treadwell; his brothers, Robert (Cher) Baar, Christopher Baar, and Daniel Baar; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews, and friends who will cherish his memory.

Friends and family are invited to visit from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, on Monday, June 15, 2026 at O’Riley-Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 10:00 AM, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the funeral home. Burial will immediately follow the service in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Lung Association.

To share a favorite story, send the family an online condolence, or light a candle on Bill’s tribute page please visit www.ORileyBranson.com