Wilson A. “Bill” HurrellINDIANAPOLIS
Wilson A. “Bill” Hurrell, 90, passed away on Thursday evening, August 13, 2020. In recent years he lived at Five Star Residences at Banta Pointe in Indianapolis, but for much of his life he was a resident of Greenwood, IN.
Bill was born April 16, 1930 in Richmond, IN to Wilson C. and Meta (Weyman) Hurrell. He grew up in Richmond, where he met his wife Janice M. (McNew) Hurrell. They were married on August 17, 1957 and were happily together until she passed away on April 3, 2008. Bill is survived by his son, James W. Hurrell of Westminster, CO; his daughter-in-law, Catherine B. (Pedigo) Hurrell, and two grandchildren, Rachel (22) and Sarah (17) Hurrell.
After graduating from Richmond High School in 1948, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1950-1954. He started as a jet engine mechanic before becoming an instructor assigned to the F80-1 mobile training unit.
Taking advantage of the GI bill, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University in 1958, followed by his MBA from Xavier University in 1962.
Bill began his career at General Electric in Cincinnati, and later worked with Seagrams Distributors in Lawrenceburg, IN. In January 1963, he became Human Resources Director at Arvin Industries in Greenwood, and outside of a brief stint at the University of Cincinnati in 1965, he remained at Arvin until 1973. From that point until his retirement in 1995, Bill was the Human Resource Director and a Vice President of the National Bank of Greenwood (which became Merchants Bank, National City Bank, and then PNC in 1995).
Bill was a civic leader in Greenwood. He was a passionate Rotarian, and a charter member of the Greenwood Rotary Club. He served as the Club President (1969), Club Treasurer (1977-1992), and Club Historian, ensuring the history of the club for future generations of members. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow. Other civic roles included member and President of the Greenwood Park Board, service on the Greenwood Economic Development Committee, and service on the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, including one term as President.
Bill was a member of the Advent Lutheran Church in Greenwood, where he served as Church Treasurer for many years, and later became a member of Resurrection Lutheran Church in Indianapolis.
Bill was a long-time Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Indianapolis, having taught his first class in 1965 then continually for more than 25 years beginning in 1975. In 1997 he was named Faculty Member of the Year by the Indiana Council for Continuing Education.
Most importantly, Bill was an adoring and devoted husband to his wife, Janice, and a loving father to his son and his family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but especially his family. He was known as “Silly Grandpa” to his granddaughters, a name which reflected his playful nature with them.
Private services will be held on Tuesday August 18.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Wilson A. Hurrell Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund, The University of Indianapolis, care of The University of Indianapolis Office Of University Advancement, 1400 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson St.Pierre Funeral Service & Crematory, Greenwood Chapel.
