William "Bill" Emmett Spindler

William Emmett Spindler, "Bill", was born on November 7, 1941 to Emmett William Spindler and Helen Marie Hoover in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was the only boy in the middle of four sisters. The two eldest, Arlou Brahm of Greenwich, Connecticut and Suzanne Spindler have preceded him in death. Bill leaves behind his daughter, Laurie Spindler of Fort Wayne; twin granddaughters, Sophia and Lily Spindler; his two youngest sisters, Mary Gunn of Morrison, Colorado and Joyce (Terrance) Alvey also of Fort Wayne. His son William E. "Billy" Spindler II preceded him in death as well. In addition, Bill leaves his beloved partner, Catherine Simmons, of Fort Wayne. Bill also leaves cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and even great grand nieces and nephews, some in the Fort Wayne area and others afar as well as his beloved partner of many years. He was loved by all.

Bill attended Harrison Hill grade school, South Side High School where he was on the varsity football team and played Center, Defensive Tackle, and End, graduating in 1960. Bill spent most of his college at Indiana University Bloomington studying chemistry and as a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He transferred back to Fort Wayne near the end and graduated from Saint Francis with a B.S. in Chemistry. After learning about water treatment from larger corporations, Bill took the entrepreneurial leap and founded his own company, Wayne Chemical, Inc. at the age of 25 in 1969. Serving as its President for many years, Bill helped it transform into the successful company it is today which manufactures sanitation and production chemicals and equipment for the food processing industry. Bill served as C.E.O. in recent years and was exceptionally grateful for the relationships forged with his customers throughout the years, many of whom became close personal and family friends and remain so today.

Growing up, Bill and his family attended Plymouth Congregational Church where he participated in the Youth Group. Later Bill was a Deacon of Plymouth Church and helped successfully fundraise for renovations that were completed. Bill was most proud of cofounding The Canterbury School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1977 to provide his children, grandchildren and so many in the area an independent school experience rich in arts, science, individual teacher attention, challenging scholastics, and with foreign languages to give his children, grandchildren and so many in this area a unique and challenging opportunity and experience to help them go far and reach their potential in life. Of all things a parent could give a child besides love and all that goes with it, Bill believed that education was one of the greatest gifts that can be bestowed that can never be lost and always be used again and again in different and unique ways across one’s life to make the world and our lives better. Bill served on Canterbury’s Finance Committee, its Board of Trustees and its Foundation Board.

Bill loved to learn and never stopped. He was naturally curious, and this kept him both young at heart and in sprit. He always had creative projects going on both professionally and personally, which often included redesigning and renovating houses and lake cottages. Bill also loved music and was a long-time patron of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and season ticket holder. He had a keen ear and thoroughly enjoyed the orchestra’s live performances each year. Bill was also an inventor-entrepreneur who held patens on several inventions outside those he created for his company. One was a special speaker that makes low notes and tones sound “live” at home. Bill was also a long-time active member of the Fort Wayne Business Forum, a business leaders group dedicated to ethically aiding and advancing their businesses through a social relationship that will instill a spirit of mutual helpfulness, positive cooperation and exchange of information. Bill loved to boat, fish and be on the water. He also enjoyed playing tennis and had been in a men’s league for years. Bill was an avid photographer and an early adopter of technology in this area, always wanting to try and own good quality photographic and printing equipment. He took thousands of photos across his lifetime of family, friends and beautiful scenes when on vacation or traveling. Bill was friendly, kind, jovial and generous. He made friends wherever he went and often would invite others to join his party for a meal. He enjoyed good food and wine and loved cooking and grilling at home along with entertaining. Family was most important to Bill. He was a loving father. His children were his pride and joy. In his later years, when he became a grandfather, a highlight of his days was visits from his granddaughters in which he took great delight.

Bill passed peacefully in his sleep at home on Monday, December 9, 2024. He will be greatly missed by all those who love him including family and friends, so many of whom became like additional family to Bill over the years.