William E. Spier
Jan. 8, 1927 - March 12, 2021
SOUTH BEND, IN -

William E. “Bill” Spier, 94, passed away Friday, March 12, 2021. Bill was born on January 8, 1927 in Chicago to Emma (Black) and Elmer Spier. On April 25, 1953, Bill Married Dorothy (Bachtel), his beloved and loving wife of nearly 68 years.

Bill is survived by Dorothy, daughter Teri, sons Mike (Renee) and Jim (Pam) and daughter-in-law Sue. Also surviving are three grandchildren - Charli Spier, Emma and Ross Higginbotham. Preceding Bill in death were his son Bill and stepbrother Charles Quinlan.

After moving to South Bend as a child, Bill attended Washington High School (1941-1944) where he played on the 1943 State Championship football team. He graduated early to enlist in the Air Force, hoping to fly B17 missions over Germany. Thankfully, the war ended shortly thereafter, and he spent the following year in Germany with the occupation force. When he returned from duty, he attended Georgia Tech where he played football and earned an engineering degree. In 1950, he began his 42-year long career at Bendix as an engineer in the Fuel Controls Division. It was at Bendix that he and Dorothy met.

“Big” Bill, as he was affectionately called, was a loving husband and a wonderful father. He supported his children and grandchildren in every way possible. He taught them the value of hard work and especially the value of enjoying life to the fullest. He coached his sons in baseball and never missed any of their baseball or football games. The family spent every summer weekend at the cottage on Gravel Lake, which he built and loved to work on. He taught many of those skills to his kids. “The Lake Cottage” became a popular party destination (most of which he knew about) for friends for more than 40 years.

Bill and Dorothy also loved to travel. They visited Germany, Alaska and Hawaii (taking the family there after he and Dorothy retired). Bill and Dorothy especially loved attending Chicago Cubs Spring Training games in Arizona. They spent spring training months in Arizona for 27 years. Oftentimes, they would host their children and grandchildren to enjoy the experience with them.

Due to COVID concerns, there will be no services. Palmer Funeral Home-Welsheimer North Chapel and Southlawn Cremation Services are assisting the family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at The Hearth at Juday Creek (Storypoint) for the excellent care they have provided to both Bill and Dorothy. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's (and Dementia) Association. www.alz.org

03/14/2021 JFC