William J. Kauffman

Bill Kauffman passed away, at home, on Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 9:36am. His wife Liz and daughter Kristen say it was only fitting, as Bill – an avid Indianapolis 500 fan – always considered Sunday “race day”. To put it in racing terms, Bill waved the checkered flag on his five year battle with renal cancer. In true Bill fashion, he battled longer than doctors predicted, proving he wouldn’t give up until he determined the race was finished. Born in South Bend, Ind. to Carl James and Jennie Sue Kauffman, Bill attended high school in Oakland, New Jersey, then moved to Terre Haute to attend Indiana State University. He graduated with a BS in Radio & Television in May 1973 – the same year he married Liz. The couple have one daughter, Kristen, an athletic trainer for Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Athletics. Bill had an unbelievable ability to talk to anyone – and everyone was instantly his friend. Not surprisingly he had a long career in Marketing and Sales. He started his career at WIIL-TV, then WTHI-TV where he worked from 1975-2001, during which he served as the local sales manager. Then combining his love of racing and sales experience, he worked for Hulman Print Services/Clabber Girl from 2001-2008. The remainder of his career was spent from 2009-2018 serving as the Business Development Officer for First Financial Bank. In addition to his great love of his family and friends, Bill had an undeniable passion for racing, which surpassed a mere hobby. Trackside for decades, Bill attended the Indianapolis 500 in 1964, then yearly from 1973 to 2017. In 2018, due to record Indiana heat, Bill chose to watch the race in the air conditioning at home. While working for both Hulman & Co. and First Financial Bank his duties included trips to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for client outings, meetings and hospitality. Bill was known at the track by officials, drivers, yellow shirts, pit crews and more. His smile, outgoing personality and love of racing was infectious to everyone he encountered. While he never met a stranger, some of his favorite race memories, he often said, involved sharing the race with family, including daughter Kristen and wife Liz. Using his sales knowledge, beginning in 1998 until 2018 he also worked to sell tickets for the IMS Speedway Ticket Office. On a local level Bill and four other local racing enthusiasts formed T.H.A.T. Racing and served as promoters for the Terre Haute Action Track for seven years. There aren’t many organizations that Bill wasn’t involved in – a true testament to his spirit and support of the local community. Bill was a member of the Breakfast Optimists for 42 years and a proud member of the First Baptist Church for more than 40 years. He also served as a board member for the Wabash Valley Breast Cancer Survivors, a volunteer for Success by Six’s Power of the Purse, United Way of the Wabash Valley Real Men Read Program, Terre Haute Dancing with the Stars to benefit Chances and Services for Youth (his dance received a perfect score!), Ducks Unlimited Club member, board member for the Terre Haute Children’s Museum, board member and bell ringer for the Salvation Army, Ivy Tech Community College Board Trustee, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Friends of the Museum, Strawberry Hill Cannoneers, Terre Haute Rotary, Academic Board Council, member of the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce and one of the founders of the Terre Haute Young Leaders organization. Bill is survived by wife of 45 years Liz and daughter Kristen. Brother Fred Schlemmer of Florida and Brother-in-Law Jim Kruger. Special cousins Virginia (Terry) Saylor of Tennessee and Charles Kauffman, Jr of Bloomington, Ind. Nephews and Nieces Marcus (Jen) Schlemmer of Hudson Heights, NY, Paul (Susan) Schlemmer of Queens, NY, Tim (Thesa) Saylor, Gordon (Alyssa) and Hannah Brooke and Laura (Ron) Lamb and sons Aaron (Caroline) and Andy, Troy (Brandy) Kruger and sons Kasey, Karter and Kash, Michael (Courtney) Leader and son Jacob. A Reception of Remembrance will be held from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Sunday, March 17 in Eskin Hall at First Baptist Church, 4701 E Poplar. A Celebration of Life will be held at the First Financial Bank Conference Center, 4353 South 7th Street, the same afternoon from 2pm to 5pm, this will be a casual gathering. Liz and Kristen ask that those who come to celebrate Bill dress to represent how they knew him i.e., racing gear, hunting gear, kepi caps, corvette gear. In lieu of flowers, Liz and Kristen ask that memorial contributions be directed to the Terre Haute Breakfast Optimist Club - P.O. Box 3111 Terre Haute, Indiana 47803.