William Warshauer

William Warshauer passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 after a brief illness. Bill was born in Chicago, IL on November 7, 1932 to Meyer and Helen Warshauer. The family, including older brother Marshall, moved to Ft. Wayne where Bill grew up playing sports, involved in BBYO and holding a variety of after school jobs. Bill graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Business. He was also involved in ROTC and, after college, was a captain in the US Air Force during the Korean War. Although he never saw active service, he always said he was instrumental in “keeping Oklahoma safe.”

In the small Jewish community of Ft. Wayne, Bill met the love of his life, Louise Ruchman Warshauer. They married in 1957 and moved to Ann Arbor where he started law school at the University of Michigan. The arrival of the first of four children in five years required Bill to leave school and begin his career in the aluminum smelting business. In 1970, he started his own brokerage and smelting business, Alchem Aluminum. He continued to own and manage Alchem until he sold the business in 1997. He was an entrepreneur who started several other successful businesses during his working life. Bill was an avid golfer, and while many golfers hope to have one hole in one, Bill had four. He was a consummate gentleman who treated everyone he met with kindness and respect.

Bill’s greatest love was his family. He was a devoted partner to his wife, Louise, caring for her during her final years with Parkinson’s Disease. He was a dedicated and generous parent to his children, providing the guidance and tools they needed to be successful in work and in life. They will fondly remember his “Billisms,” including his oft said: “you will never have better friends than your brothers and sisters,” which has proven true to this day.

He is survived by two daughters, Susan (Don) Kennicott and Amy (Ed) Platt, a son, Bruce (Holly) Warshauer, daughter-in-law, Marie Warshauer, eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He is also survived by his caring partner, Patricia Cohen. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Louise, his beloved son David, his brother Marshall and his parents.

A celebration of life will be held at Bentley Village on the patio of the East Clubhouse, Friday, November 14 at 3:00 pm. A private memorial service will be held earlier with Rabbi Adam Miller officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Parkinson’s Foundation or the MS Society.