William Bender

William L. Bender, 88, died Wed. evening Oct. 16, 2013 as a result of an earlier stroke. He was born in Terre Haute on May 4, 1925 to Mildred Pierce Bender of Staunton and Harlan A. Bender and grew up in New Goshen, graduating in the class of 1942. He attended Rose Polytechnic prior to serving in the 42nd Rainbow Division during WWII where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was decorated. After marrying his high school sweetheart, Norma J. Campbell of Libertyville (1924-1985) he completed a chemistry degree at ISU and worked for Eli Lilly and Co. his entire career (35+ yrs) which included several patents in pharmaceuticals and agrichemicals and the building/startup of operations at the Clinton plant as VP of Operations. He resided most of his years in Hendricks Co. where he was active in local organizations, a church trustee, SCORE volunteer, Eiteljorg Museum docent, National Park Senior Corp volunteer, Grand Sycamore of ISU, world traveler, conservationist, and loving father, husband and grandfather. He is survived by his 3 daughters, Trudy Bender, Tresa Kautz, and Tauna Griffith, their spouses, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren who invite you to celebrate a well-lived and well-loved life at Matthews Mortuary in Brownsburg, IN on Mon. Oct. 21st from 3-7pm followed by a funeral service Tues. Oct 22nd at 10am in Calvary United Methodist Church. Committal service and military honors at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, IN Oct 22nd at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Rainbow Division Veterans Foundation at rainbowvets.org or to Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org. Online condolences at www.matthewsmortuary.com