William Lewis Fish

William L. Fish, 82 of Fort Wayne, IN passed away August 1, 2025, at the Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was born April 7, 1943, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Charles Henry Fish and Lillian Scudder Fish. Bill, as he was known, began his business career waxing cars and cutting grass at the age of ten from his family’s home in Riverside, Connecticut. He formed a business with several of his friends and did quite well over the summers. After graduating from Greenwich High School, he went on to Tri-State College (now Trine University) in Angola, Indiana, graduating in 1965 with a business degree.

Using his acquired business skills, as his background, he worked for several companies moving up the ladder with each step. He became Manager of Purchasing with Phelps Dodge Magnet Wire Company in Fort Wayne. He accepted two other offers over the years which involved constantly relocating the family. His last position was as Director of Corporate Purchasing with F.L. Aerospace in Urbana, Ohio.

At age 50, Bill left the corporate world and became a senior tax professional with H & R Block for 17 years before eventually forming his own tax practice in 2006. During that time, he also started into the landscaping business, forming both Accent Lawn Manicure Service and Pro Lawn Landscaping. The companies flourished for 20 years until he sold them in 2009 to partially retire. Along the way he also purchased Turf Service Equipment Sales and Repair, an outdoor power dealership and repair business. He appreciated the history of its location in the famous Roots Camp and Ski Haus building on North Clinton Street, Fort Wayne. Bill sold Turf Service at the end of 2011 to complete his retirement from his landscaping businesses. His tax practice continued with his business acumen and years in accounting until his passing.

Bill was more than just an avid Cleveland Browns football fan. He helped start the original Browns Backers Club of Fort Wayne and founded the Northern Indiana Browns Backers Club which meets at The Fairfield located on Jefferson Boulevard, downtown Fort Wayne. Bill is a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church and served as a deacon. Bill continued to be a very loyal alumnus of Trine University and the member emeritus of his fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon. He was a member of Leo Masonic Lodge No. 224. Bill was an Eagle Scout, and black belt level Order of the Arrow with the Boy Scouts of America. He was a former member of the Scottish Rite, and the Shrine, both of Fort Wayne and the B.Y.O.B Elks of Van Wert, Ohio.

He is survived by brother, Robert H. Fish of Sarasota, FL; son, Jason Scudder Fish of Fort Wayne; daughter, Michelle L. Keplar of Reno, Nevada; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brother, Charles Scudder Fish in 2003.

Preferred memorials are to the organ fund at First Presbyterian Church and to the Family Fire Relief Fund of the American Red Cross where he actively volunteered for many years. Bill will be cremated as arranged by the D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes.

There will be a Celebration of Life Service at First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, followed by a catered lunch at the Church.