Name: Visitation for Norris K. Wang
Start: 2021-01-22T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2021-01-22T16:00:00.000Z
Location: Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – West Lafayette Chapel

Norris K. Wang

West Lafayette - Norris K. Wang, 65, of West Lafayette, passed away on Sunday, January 17, 2021, at IU Health Arnett Hospital in Lafayette from complications due to cardiac arrest—not COVID-19 related.

He was born October 7, 1955, in Marion, IN, to the late Ting Yang Wang and Daisy Feng Wang. Norris was named after his godparents, R. Norris Shreve of Purdue's Eleanor and Norris Shreve Hall. Norris graduated from Marion High School and received his bachelor's degree in Political Science from Purdue University and his law degree from Indiana University in Bloomington.

He previously worked as legal counsel for Congressman Bud Hillis 1983-84 and the Capitol Hill Club in Washington, DC. Later he served as assistant regional counsel for the US Department of Health and Human Services in Chicago.

Norris was a deputy prosecutor in Tippecanoe County for 14 years before becoming Magistrate in Tippcanoe County in 2003. He worked with all the judges and was known as being a compassionate, caring thoughtful individual who was fair and made sure all those before him were aware of their rights and had the proper legal counsel. Norris was very proud to be the first Chinese American Magistrate to serve in Indiana.

After retiring from the bench he became an adjunct professor at Ivy Tech in criminal justice in 2011. He loved teaching and interacting with the students.

Norris was then elected to the West Lafayette City Council in 2015 representing the 6th District and re-elected in 2019. He was very dedicated and honored to serve his constituents.

He was active in the community as a former Tippecanoe County Legal Aid Board Member and Blackbird Farms Homeowners Association (writing their by-laws); a founding board member of the Asian American Bar Association of Chicago and a member of the Indiana University Asian Law Alumni Association.

He was a member of the St. John's Episcopal Church in Lafayette.

Survived by his devoted sister, Eleanor (Ellie) Wang who was extremely close to him - loving and caring for him dearly, and beloved by his brother-in-law David Blumberg of Baltimore, MD.

Norris was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Friday, January 22, 2021, at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel, 1184 Sagamore Parkway West, with the service immediately following, Fr. Bradley Pace officiating. Interment will be at Grant Memorial Park in Marion, IN.

Current Covid-19 precautions will be observed along with social distancing and current government attendance guidelines. MASKS ARE REQUIRED. The service will be live streamed on Soller-Baker Funeral home web site.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Ivy Tech Foundation - memo note: Norris Wang Criminal Justice Scholarship Fund, Ivy Tech Foundation, 3101 S. Creasy Lane, Lafayette, IN 47905.

You may leave condolences and memories at www.soller-baker.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal & Courier from Jan. 19 to Jan. 20, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Norris Wang

Sponsored by Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – West Lafayette Chapel.

8 Entries

Kathy Metcalf Edwards

January 25, 2021

Dear Ellie, please accept our condolences on the passing of your brother, Norris. It was an honor knowing Norris. What a kind and caring soul he was. He will be greatly missed by all. My husband, Gale Edwards graduated with Norris and your parents were friends of my parents, Lester and Betty Metcalf (Freel n Mason Drug store) Ellie, may God comfort you in the days, weeks, months and years to come.

Susie Swensen

January 22, 2021

Norris was a thoughtful and kind person; I always perked up when I saw him coming down the hall! I knew Norris during the court house days.

Mandy Sizemore

January 22, 2021

Such a great person. Much love to Norris's family.

Royce Mitchell

January 22, 2021

Sympathy to Ellie and family. I felt so fortunate to have known Norris, as well as T.Y. and Daisy. Norris was so kind and wise. The world was a better place with him in it.

Mike Oatis

January 21, 2021

Great guy. Watched him grow up. His family spent a lot of time with our family.

January 20, 2021

We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers and we send our deepest condolences.
We always enjoyed Norris coming to the Downtowner. He was such a nice man.

Rick and Molly Wheeler

Tom Leach

January 20, 2021

I had the privilege to work with Norris while he was in the Prosecutor's office. I learned a great deal from him. Fine gentleman, compassionate, who cared the utmost for right and wrong. Norris, you will be missed.......RIP my friend.

Ruth Criswell

January 20, 2021

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

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