William Leonard "Bill" Sylvester

Bill was born on August 21, 1928 to the late Leonard Sylvester and Cecilia Fitzgerald Sylvester in Indianapolis, IN. He was a lifelong resident of Indianapolis, spending his early years at Holy Cross Catholic School, playing youth sports with CYO, and developing a passion for football at Cathedral High School. After graduating from Cathedral in 1946, he attended Butler University where he had the good fortune of playing quarterback under beloved Tony Hinkle. Upon graduation from Butler, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

Combining his passion for football and his love of catholic education, Bill began his coaching career at Scecina Memorial High School where he helped shape their athletic program as their first Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. He later held coaching positions at both Purdue University and Cathedral High School before, once again, returning to Butler as an assistant football coach under Coach Tony Hinkle. In 1970 Bill became Head Football Coach at Butler where, during his fifteen-year tenure, he helped develop young athletes into men and to create a lasting legacy, the Butler Football Family. From 1975 to 1989, Bill also served as Butler’s Director of Athletics. Early on, he was part of a civic group that brought the NCAA Final Four to Indianapolis for the first time in 1980.

Throughout his lifetime, Indianapolis CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) was also near and dear to Bill’s heart. After getting his own start in CYO sports, he worked part-time for the CYO for his friends Bill Sahm and Bill Kuntz. He would later become President of the Board of Directors of the CYO for Ed Tinder. Bill was a man dedicated to athletics because of what sports offered young people, a tool for building character.

He was always humbled and thankful of the many awards and honors he received throughout his career.

Bill was a member of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.

Bill was, without a doubt, a man dedicated to faith, family, and football all his life. His favorite part of his twilight years was enjoying every minute of his time with children and grandchildren in Palisades Park on Lake Michigan. He is preceded in death by his wife, Dottie Gass Sylvester and his brother, Jim Sylvester. He is survived by his children, Bill (Nina), Jill (John) Starliper, Jody (Scott) Kline, Ann (Dana), Katie (Ed) Kelly, and P.J.; grandchildren, Carson and Tony Canonie, Megan, E.J., and Maureen Kelly, Will and Sarah Starliper, and Cooper and Addie Sylvester.

Visitation will be from 3-7pm on Sunday, April 10th at Feeney-Hornak Keystone Mortuary and Monday, April 11th from 11am-12pm at St. Pius X Catholic Church. His Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 11th at Noon at St. Pius X Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any of the following: CYO Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Scecina Memorial High School, and/or Butler University Football.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.feeneyhornakkeystone.com for the Sylvester family.