March 28, 1936 – May 15, 2018
Ronald William “Bill” Roeder, Sr., 82, Sheridan, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Born March 28, 1936 in Carmel, he was the son of the late Fred W. and Eileen (Hazelbaker) Roeder.
Bill graduated from Carmel H.S. with the Class of 1954 and continued forward with his education, earning his Associates Degree. Hard work and determination guided Bill’s path throughout his life. Bill worked his way through school by hiring on with 20th Century Fox. He serviced TV and film equipment, and would also shuttle movies between different theatres in and around Indianapolis. When he was finally finished with his schooling, Bill took a job with the Schwitzer Corporation in Indianapolis. He would later go to work for Automatron of Indianapolis, eventually becoming their President. Bill’s entrepreneurial spirit and his love of Science and Math pulled him away from Automatron and led him to start his own specialized metal fabricating company, Roeder Engineering.
He enjoyed fishing and music very much, and had a great appreciation for the Lawrence Welk Show. Bill and his family had a small plot of land in Boone County, and that property gave him ample opportunity to do some of his favorite activities. Kind of a homebody, Bill loved being outdoors, and could always find something to do around his place. Whether it was working in his garden or taking care of his fruit trees, he enjoyed it all. Working his land also gave plenty of excuses to break out the heavy equipment, a tradition he happily passed down to his son. Bill loved operating heavy equipment and seemed to constantly be on the lookout for projects around his place that could possibly meet that need. Never really mattered whether that particular job needed done or not.
Bill is survived by the love of his life, his wife Jeanne (Thompson) Roeder. She and Bill were married on March 8, 1958. Also surviving are his son, Ronald William “Bill” Roeder, Jr. (Jackie), Noblesville; three daughters, Lynn Revis (Larry), Fishers, Sharil Anne Roeder, Noblesville, and Debbi James, Gainesville, Fla.; five grandchildren, Miranda Heitzman (Ang), Megan Weir (Chris), Kyle McKinley, Haley Roeder and Brandon Roeder; two brothers, Dennis Roeder (Judy), Greenfield, and Doug Roeder (Martha), Indianapolis; and his sister, Linda Simpson (Charlie), Noblesville. Bill is also survived by his canine best friend, his dog Hercules.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Carole White.
A Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from noon until the time of service. Pastor Mark Wright will officiate. Burial will take place at Spencer Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be presented to either the Hamilton County Humane Society or to your local PBS station.
Arrangements
Calling: Noon to 3 p.m., May 19
Service: 3 p.m., May 19
Location: Kercheval Funeral Home
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com