William James Szempruch was born in Springfield, Ohio on May 1, 1952 to his beloved mother, Betty Jo Crum Szempruch (d. 1999) and father, Thomas Joseph Szempruch (d. 2017). Bill shared his day of birth with his aunt and godmother, Mildred Szempruch Hixon Leonard.
He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and Catholic Central High School in Springfield, Ohio, and Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Bill’s lottery draft number was 4, prompting him to immediately join the United States Air Force in 1970. He trained as an EMT and served with honor in Southeast Asia and Okinawa, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bill relocated from Ohio to Naples, Florida where he lived for over 50 years working as a precision tool machinist till his retirement. He loved fast cars especially Mustangs and Broncos, and his extended family. Bill died peacefully at home on July 14, 2022.
Bill is survived by his loving brothers and sisters: Linda Aylward (Gerry), David Szempruch (Edwina), Thomas Szempruch (Rita), and Victoria Dodds (Thomas d. 2019), by his fond nieces and nephews Becky, Emily, Thomas, Krystina, Joseph, Cale, and Brynna, and by his many aunts and uncles, cousins, and great nieces and nephews, several of whom live in Naples and the surrounding area.
A memorial Mass and Celebration of Life will take place at St. William Catholic Church at 601 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL on Saturday, August 13 at 10:45 am. Following Mass, a military honor guard will present the American flag to the family. Bill’s cremated remains will be interred at Sarasota National Cemetery at 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hodgesfhatnaplesmg.com for the Szempruch family.
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