Willy was my best friend the past 40  years and, just as important, I like to think I was one of his many very good friends.  

He was my best friend for two reasons, our love of sports and fixing me up with my great wife of now 55 years and counting.  Re  love of sports, we met for the first time on my first and only ever train ride from Indy to St. Louis on Sept of 1960 when I was starting my short 3 year career as a seminarian at Cardinal Glennon College in St. Louis and Willy was going back for another year at Quincy College, just about 30 miles north of St. Louis.  So, Willy and I had four hours on the train ride to talk and I'm sure we spent a couple of those hours on our favorite topic--sports. We continued our relationship during college summer vacations and thereafter after I retired from the seminary in 1963.   

But the thing that cemented our relationship came on sometime in April of 1967 when Willy called me at West Virginia University, where I was in grad school.  It was a very routine call until he interrupted sports talk by saying "By the way, I've got the girl for you", after which he said he was ready to hang up.  I said, "Wait a minute, Willy, who's this girl you said you had for me?"  He went on to say it was Kathy Brown, who had a date with our good buddy, Bob Kelly, and Willy was with them somewhere.  I followed up on Willy's very short referral and made a blind date.  The rest is history and we've been happily married 55 years.  A lot of that time was spent with Willy:  several family vacations at Michaelis'  Greybrook Lake, Willy at all family get-togethers, including making our kids "wait till Willy gets here" to open Christmas presents, etc.

I hate to think what my life would've  been like if I missed the same train with Willy and thus no Willy or Kathy in my life.  Wow!!  
So, thanks Willy for 40 great best friend years and 55 and counting  best wife ever years.  RIP good buddy.

Leo

Bill was a friend of ours. You always felt welcomed in his home on Keystone. You would no more walk through the door and he would have you laughing. Bill loved to talk sports. He would go over every team, score and plays in Indy and the midwest. He was a kind, funny and generous man. He was such a great role model to the Christ the King children. It made you believe there are still people around that want to make a difference in this world. One day he came by to visit and didn't want to get out of his car because his back was bothering him. Swinging his legs to the side of the car he enjoyed a cold drink and solved every world problem. Nothing too formal for Bill. We will miss Bill very much. He brought a rainbow to each day.

John and Regina Leone

A true friend and giver of life and laughter to all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Blessings and love.

Bill gifted many kids opportunities to attend CYO. camp over the summer for a full week.  Three of our kids were able to go because of him.  He loved talking football over the phone and  was a Christ the King supporter always.  We are so thankful for the gift of Bill!

Bill has always been an extended member of our family. Many vacations, holidays, and of course sporting events, were spent with Bill. We are grateful for the time we had with him and he will be missed. What a gift he has been to so many of us through the years. Rest in Peace. 

Peggy Lynch Kline

Bill was a longtime coach of boys football and basketball at CKS in the 1960-70’s. Never had a child on his teams - he just loved to coach young people. He was a great man.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

William "Bill" Francis Michaelis

30 juin 1938 – 26 décembre 2023

Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary

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