William Robert Bruns II
March 29, 1944 ~ December 14, 2021
William Robert Bruns II, of Indianapolis, passed peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021, after a lengthy illness. He was born March 29, 1944, the son of the late William Robert and Muriel P. Ruch Bruns, at St. Francis Hospital, Indianapolis.
His wife, Sallie Marie Carrico Bruns, whom he wed Aug. 28, 1965, at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, Indianapolis, survives, as well as his son, William R. Bruns III, and daughter-in-law Deborah Andrea Bruns; daughter, Monica Marie Stone, and son-in-law Jeffrey L. Stone; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Bruns, and son-in-law, Joseph E. Isert. He also is survived by grandchildren, Marlie Ann Bruns, and William Thomas Charles Bruns; cousins, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Bill earned his undergraduate degree in English from Xavier University of Cincinnati, Ohio; his Masters of Pastoral Theology from St. Mary of the Woods, Terre Haute, Ind.; and his MBA from Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.
In his professional life, Bill served as executive director of Communications for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and as corporate communications editor for Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis. He was a longtime member of St. Barnabas Catholic Church and was a Grand Knight with the Xavier University Council, Knights of Columbus.
A devoted and devout Catholic throughout his life, Bill held a vast knowledge of all things, was a trivia master and potential Jeopardy winner. He had a wry and rapier sense of humor, and was concerned about and committed to others through his church, philanthropy and personal participation.
An author of two books on the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), Bill was a teacher and had a passion for the written word, as a writer and editor. His children, and many who worked with him, both remember and praise Bill’s biting critiques and gentle mentorship, and credit him with helping hone skills they would use throughout their life.
He enjoyed drawing and doodling, and creating beauty with his hands, heart, and vision. Music was another passion; Bill had a special fondness for folk music by groups such as Peter, Paul and Mary, John Denver and The Beach Boys.
Family and friends recall Bill’s special and distinct qualities, including his loving and compassionate nature, a true passion for cooking – and enjoying – food (he was a natural born chef), and his lifelong love of reading. A fanatic for being on time, Bill considered anyone who arrived on time late, and any late arrival as unacceptable.
He enjoyed vacations and cruising with Sallie, especially trips to the Caribbean. A favored trip was to San Francisco in 1987, where he and Sallie had the good fortune to see Pope John Paul II. Bill exclusively planned annual Easter egg hunts for his family, setting out boots on St. Nicholas Eve and time with his well-traveled children and many friends.
The family is celebrating Bill’s life with a private service to ensure health and safety during COVID-19, as he would not have wanted anyone to feel unsafe or to risk anyone becoming ill at his funeral.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to St. Vincent de Paul or the Indianapolis Zoological Society. O’Riley Funeral Home is serving the Bruns family. Please visit www.ORileyFuneralHome.com to share a favorite memory of Bill with his family on the online guest registry.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Lit a candle in memory of William Robert Bruns II
Bill as I knew him…was my supervisor at the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, in the Communications Department. But..,he was so much more! He was a fellow parishioner at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, he was genuine friend, he was to me…he was a “good guy.” May he Rest In Peace!
I am deeply saddened to receive this news today from a former colleague. Bill was one of my best friends after getting divorced and moving to Indianapolis in 1997 to serve under him as the Director of Communications for the Archdiocese. He was not just a professional mentor, which he refined my editing skills to a gleaming shine, he was also a compassionate, understanding and supportive boss and friend to this newly single momma of two. I could not have asked for a more seamless transition from married to single mom and professional. I was proud that Bill called on me after my departure from the archdiocese to step in when he needed me. His trust in me was at the top of my priority list — I respected him beyond measure. I was honored when Bill and Sallie took time to attend my wedding in 2011 and in more recent years, I enjoyed lunch with Bill and Sallie. Their joy in spending time with each other was so evident and I loved catching up with them about friends, family and former colleagues. I regret not reaching out to Bill on the many occasions he crossed my mind over the past year. I was truly blessed to call Bill friend and will forever remember and treasure all that he taught me about the Church, life, love of the written word, and friendship. God be with you, Sallie and family, as you navigate life without this pillar. And God rest your soul, Bill. Much love, Sue
Sallie, so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing…my heart felt condolences to you and your family. Am sure he will be miss by many. Barbara Lauck Flodin
Dear Sallie and family, heartbreaking for all of us to say goodbye to your dear Bill. He was such a dear friend and will miss hearing him call me by the nickname he gave me while we were at the Archdiocese. Will certainly miss our chats over a meal , of the our sharing the memories we have with our other friend. (Sallie, you were so tolerant of our conversations). On the other hand, so grateful he is pain free now and resting in peace. Farewell, Herr Bruns. Love, “The Dragon Lady”
We affectionately called him “Father Bruns” and he was truly a great man in so many ways. His intellect and razor-sharp wit kept us laughing and on our toes. He was a great friend and mentor. Such a brilliant mind–truly one-of-a-kind! Sending love and prayers to Sallie and his children. God bless!
Lit a candle in memory of William Robert Bruns II
Lit a candle in memory of William Robert Bruns II
I worked with Bill many years at Eli Lilly and Company. He was always very helpful and a pleasant person to be around. Our whole group had many fun lunches together. Sallee, I am so sorry for your loss. I know what it is like to lose your spouse. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family.
Bill was my mentor for three years in Communications at Eli Lilly. All of his edits were written with a green felt pen and most of my first articles were more green than black. He had unbelievable patience and was always kind. He taught me well and helped me to become a very proficient writer, and of that, I am very grateful. Sallie, you and your family are in my prayers; we all know where Bill is now; Heaven gained a great man. He will definitely be missed.
My condolences to all of you. I feel like I know you because Rosie Kavanaugh talked so much about you. You were a loving family to her. I do remember going to your nice home for her 65th(?) birthday. I will keep you in my prayers.
Sallie, I’m sorry to hear about the loss of an important member of our gang at Lilly. We had some times together. My being a northsider, I often chided Bill about being from that other part of town. He took it in good fun, which was my intention. Bill was a good guy who held strongly to his beliefs. Fritz Frommeyer
Monica and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in our prayers.
Sallie & Family, I had the good fortune of managing the communications function at Eli Lilly in the late 1970s and early 80s. That job was made a lot easier thanks to Bill’s extraordinary talent, support and sense of humor. No matter the crisis (and there were many), he consistently asked the right questions, provided spot-on perspective and the right words at the right time to inspire our team to do its best work. Ron Culp
We had the good fortune and pleasure of living next door to Mr. and Mrs. Bruns for over a decade. They were both always so gracious and fun to be around. Some wonderful memories include scrumptious meals at their house, entertaining conversations in the back yards, and learning about them and their family. Bill was modest in his lifelong accomplishments, but was happy to share his knowledge. We were sad to move away from the couple that adopted us as family and enjoyed watching our son grow up. A fond memory is how every Easter, we would find 2 ceramic rabbits in our backyard flanking a large Easter basket. After our son would retrieve this treasure, the rabbits would mysteriously disappear. Bill and Sallie were included in many of the milestones of our family, and we consider ourselves lucky to have shared many such great times with them. We will miss Bill on this Earth, but we know that Bill is Home now. Our condolences to his family.
Thoughts and prayers from the Meyer family
My condolences to Sallie and all Bill’s family. I knew him for many years and always appreciated his calm humanity and faithful service. –Fr. Joe Rautenberg
Bill was there to warmly welcome me aboard 30 years ago this month when I joined the corporate communications division of Eli Lilly and Company. In the years that followed, I was blessed to have him as a mentor. I always appreciated his love for the written word, his encyclopedic knowledge base in countless areas, his steadiness in the midst of any crisis, and, of course, his incredibly sharp sense of humor. More recently, I was thrilled to reconnect with Bill in my freelance work for The Criterion. I am sending my prayers and deepest condolences to the Bruns family.
We are so sorry for your loss. What great memories I have growing up at your house and of Mr. and Mrs. Bruns. So sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. Amy Brammer
Learned a lot about communication from Bill and always enjoyed his sharp wit. John Purcell
My prayers for Bill and his family and friends. I remember Bill as a gentleman with calm and blessed leadership skills Donna Francisco SMWC MAPT. ‘90
So many memories of Bill. He used his incredible writing skills at a crucial time in Dave’s life, for which we will always be grateful. I’m so very sorry to read he had a long illness. He deserved better. My prayers are being sent your way as I light my prayer candle each morning. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, Rest In Peace. Grace Colette
I knew Billie when we both of us were very young. He lived on Pensylvania street and I livied on Pleasant Run Pkwy. Our backyards were just two poperties from each other. I remember Bill senior’s passing in 1954 and what a devistating blow that was to Billie and of course his mother Murial only to be followed by his mother’s illiness shortly after. As we got a little older we kind of parted ways as we attended different schools, Bill attending Sacred Heart and I was attending public school 35. Bill was an avid reader and I became an outdoor bicycle riding kid. However, very fond memories of swinging and playing in his sand box in his backyard. My wife in later work years met Bill at Eli Lilly’s in her job as a member of the public relations department there. She spoke more than once of what a kind person he was. Our condonlences to the family on Bill’s passing. Chuck and Sue Wettrick
I remember many many times that we double dated especially going to parks to picnic. I loved Bill’s demeanor and just being with you guys. So so sorry ߘ¢ for you and your family‘a loss. My prayers are with you and yours.
I was a member of Bill’s class at Xavier University (1966). He was a smart and caring person that had a excellent impact on so many. I’m so sad he has died. At the same time heaven has a wonderful addition. Gif bless you, Bill!
Bill was a wonderful friend, example and mentor. Never forget experiences through high school and college….double dating, “ drink and drowns”, coaching on my need to improve scheduling and timeliness(Army fixed that). He was always a person of values and exemplary behavior….touched my life deeply….thanks Bill.