William R. Penish
August 14, 1927 ~ December 29, 2020
William R. Penish, 93, lifelong Indianapolis resident, passed away December 29, 2020. Mr. Penish was born August 14, 1927, to the late Will and Bertha (Pflum) Penish. He married the love of his life, Diane, on February 16, 1952, and she preceded him in death after 59 years of marriage.
Bill graduated from Shortridge High School, proudly served in the United States Army, and earned his degree from Butler University. He worked early on for Cooper Studios, which became Carhart Photo. He retired in 1992 as the controller of Erbrich Products. A devout Catholic, Bill was a member and usher at St. Barnabas Catholic Church and was past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 3660. He was also a 4th degree member of the Bishop Chatard Assembly. Bill and Diane loved to travel and especially enjoyed cruises. He was a collector of stamps and coins and was an avid Butler basketball fan. Above all, Bill was a devoted family man – hard working, loving, and honorable.
Survivors include his children, William C. (Melody) Penish, Lynne M. Gearries, Catherine A. (the late Randy) Dawson, and Stacy (James) Crane; grandchildren, James (Heather), John, Joseph (Allison), Blake, Will, and Callie; great grandchildren, Fairah, James, and Fiona.
Visitation will be Monday, January 4, 2021, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at O’Riley Funeral Home. Prayers will begin at 11:30, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 12 Noon, in St. Barnabas Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. The Mass will be live streamed on the O’Riley Facebook page by visiting https://www.facebook.com/orileyfuneralhome/. Visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Sorry to hear about Mr. Penish’s passing. Praying for peace and comfort for your family. Your backyard neighbor, Elizabeth Kamman Shoupe
My favorite cousin, Bill, was the most loved man by everyone who knew him. He was so pleasant & kind, a man who was the best looking man I ever knew, but just as beautiful a man on the inside as well as the outside. His love of family, GOD & friends was well known by everyone who was privileged to know him…. When I visited my best friend, Meg, in Indy, as she would drive me wherever I wanted to go. I always took time to visit him & his wife, Diane at their home. My friend took me to visit him at his retirement home about 10 years ago & we loved seeing his home & having such a nice lunch in his community dining room. He was so good about calling me & catching up with my husband & I about our most recent cruise or trip. He was so much fun to be with & to visit. He will be missed by all. God bless this wonderful family! Cousin Julie Pflum Davis
With heartfelt condolences,
We’re so sorry for your loss. We’ve known Bill through Greenwood Village for years. We do Communion services there & also now live there in a cottage. Loved talking with him. He & my husband were in KofC in different councils. Both past grand knights. I was just given permission to deliver Communion to the apts on 12/21. We’ve not had anything other than Mass on tv since 3/12. I stopped each time I was there to deliver but no answer. The man across the hall opened his door & told me the last time I was there. May he rest in peace.