William J. Wood
89, died August 8, 2017. He practiced law in Indianapolis with Wood Tuohy Gleason Mercer & Herrin for 52 years and was counsel to Mercer-Belanger until his death. Calling will be from 2:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m. on Sunday August 13, 2017 at Feeney Hornak Keystone Mortuary. A memorial service will be held Sunday at 7:00 p.m. followed by the rosary. Visitation will also be Monday, August 14 at St. Pius X Catholic Church from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., and a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. where he and his wife, Joann, have served on varies ministries most notable as lay ministers of the Eucharist. Mr. Wood was past President of the Parish Council and has been a member of two faith sharing groups. Burial will be at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.
In insurance corporate and business matters, he had been general counsel and was a director of Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Company and Indiana attorney and also a director of American Income Life. He had also served Concord National Life and National Mutual Life Insurance Companies and other insurance organizations. He was past Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Insurance Institute of Indiana.
He was past Chairman of the Indiana Corporate Law Survey Commission and served on the drafting committees of the present Indiana business corporation law and the Indiana nonprofit corporation law.
He served as general counsel to the Indiana Catholic Conference and had served as an attorney for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis and volunteer attorney of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Indianapolis, the Carmelite Monastery and formerly the Fatima Retreat House. He was a member of the National Association of Diocesan Attorneys. He was founding attorney of the Catholic Community Foundation of Indianapolis.
Mr. Wood was founding attorney for Westview Hospital and had served as attorney for the Indiana Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons. He was formerly general counsel for the Indiana Association of Realtors.
He attended Butler University before enlisting in the U.S. Army. After military service overseas he graduated from Indiana University in 1950 and received his J.D. degree from I.U. LAW School.
Mr. Wood was past President of the Indianapolis Bar Association, past Secretary of the Indiana State Bar Association and past President of the St. Thomas Moore Legal Society and Fellow of the Indianapolis Bar Foundation.
He was a co-founder of the old alcoholic rehabilitation center at the Marion County jail and received the brotherhood award of the old National Conference of Christians and Jews of Indiana.
He was past President of the Indianapolis Literary Club and member of the Center for Plain Language of Silver Springs, Maryland. He was a devotee to Dr. Rudolph Flesch, who invented "Plain English", the first scientific method for measuring the level of readability of the printed word.
He was a life-long bird watcher and a member of the Amos Butler Chapter of the National Audubon Society and also the American Legion.
In addition to his beloved wife of 63 years, Joann Jones Wood, he is survived by their eight children, Steven and wife Teresa, Matthew and wife Laura, Kathleen, Michael, Joseph and wife Lara, James and wife Andrea, Julie and David and wife, Lisa, and twelve grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the St. Pius X endowment of the Catholic Community Foundation of Indianapolis or to the Indianapolis Bar Foundation, the Westview Hospital Foundation, the Indianapolis Literary Club Foundation or the Amos W. Butler Audubon Society, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Indianapolis, or the Carmelite Monastery of Oldenburg, Indiana.
Service entrusted to Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary. Tributes may be made at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary.
January 17, 2018
Heather Wright
I am so sorry to see this. Mr. And mrs. Wood came in to Bonefish Grill for years. While I was a server they would ask for me and then for myself or Damon. We could see them walking in the parking lot together holding hands. They loved each other so much. What I knew over the years was their shared kindness. Bill was a jokester, often getting a playful swat from Joanne and then she would say "You're so bad!" We always knew what he wanted to drink or what you wanted for dinner. He would trust us to let him know if he couldn't decide himself. To me every time I would see him he completely embodied a genuine kindness which he shared with his wife, a beautiful serenity in his soul. My day was always made better by his and their presence. My heart goes out to the family and especially Joann, we miss you everyday.
August 14, 2017
Ginny Hawks Campbell
Dave "Woody" and family,
Scott and I share your grief and also celebrate with you your Dad's long life and beautiful legacy of family and work and friends. Our love and prayers, and those of our family, are with you all. Ginny and Scott
August 14, 2017
Fred Hamblen
Although a Patriarch has passed, I know Bill Wood's legacy will live on through the vicarious benevolence of his three oldest sons': Steve, Matt and Joe whose sense of fairness and generosity extol the virtues' their Father instilled in them.
August 10, 2017
Dad was a good man and father.
He was a follower of Jesus's teachings.
Bill was humble, but also kind of sly.
He taught his eight kids a work ethic, and respect for the environment and nature.
I hope to see you in heaven someday, dad.
It must've been very hard for you in your last weeks here, with the pain of cancer and broken ribs, and toxins in your blood and brain. But now you are free from all that.
You had a great last week at Wawasee, riding that last pontoon cruise into the sunset. Surrounded by loved ones.
And of course one more mandatory wave.
Joe
August 10, 2017
Becky Radtke
Bill first hired me as his secretary in 1979. He was a remarkable man. The world is a better place because he was in it.
August 10, 2017
Dan Mercer
Bill was a wonderful friend, mentor and partner to my father and brother. He had such a giving heart and will be greatly missed.
August 10, 2017
Marie Schulz Marks
Mr Wood, I wish you God's speed to Heaven! Your life was a true example of living what God called you to do, and making a difference in the lives of many. I can still remember your kindness and wit from the days of St. Pius and the K of C and the friendship you and your wife shared with my parents, Al and MaryAnn Schulz. May God provide your family peace in knowing that Heaven just got a new Angel,
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