William V. Booher

In Loving Memory of William V. Booher
William Vern Booher, age 74, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2025, at IU Methodist Hospital. Born on February 6, 1951, in Anderson, Indiana, Bill was the cherished son of the late Vern and Kathleen Booher (née Savage). When Bill was a young child, the family moved to the Holy Cross neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana where he met life-long friends Terry Donahue and the late Charlie Newport. In 1976, he married Ella Vinci in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at SS. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana. Out of the marriage, he had two daughters, Sophia Angela in 1984 and Angela Clare in 1987.
Bill's life was guided by a calling to expand his knowledge about the world and sharing that knowledge with others. He did this through academic study and teaching and also through spiritual study and supporting the religious formation of others.
His academic path started at Holy Cross Catholic School (1965) and progressed to Cathedral High School (1969), Indiana University (1973, Bachelors History and Urban Planning), Ball State University (1979, Masters History), and Indiana University (1979, Masters Library Science). He was consistently engaged in theater during this time, appearing in several stage plays with The Atheneum Players until 1982. At all stages of life, he was an avid reader and pursuer of all arts. A very clear, effective, and natural teacher, Bill taught several subjects at multiple levels, including grade school and college levels in the United States and in Czechoslovakia. Intellectually active to his last days, his last years were marked with multiple book clubs, discussion groups, and consistently evolving and informed opinions of current events.
His spiritual path included formation at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in Jasper, Indiana where he valued the humbleness and simplicity of the monastic lifestyle. He entered the formation program of the Secular Franciscans to embrace the Franciscan ideals without leaving secular life behind. Bill was professed as a Third Order Secular Franciscan in 1987, committing himself to live the Gospel in his daily activities and embodying the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi through simplicity, humility, and service. He eventually served as formation director to support the formation of others, a role that he deeply cherished. He pursued additional training in biblical analyses with the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bill was a devoted member of multiple Catholic communities in Indianapolis with his spiritual home at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with the Franciscan Secular community.
Bill was also very active in community service. For over four decades, Bill served as a dedicated referee with the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), a role he held with great pride and joy. His presence as a referee was marked by fairness, integrity, and a deep love for the game and its young athletes. Bill was an integral member of The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Indianapolis to help those in need, holding positions such as President of the Indianapolis Southside chapter. His career was also a career of service, either as a teacher or as a medical transport where he always sought to establish strong bonds with those he served. Many remember him as a reader for Mass, a role that he volunteered for at multiple Catholic churches and sometimes more than weekly.
Those who knew Bill would all agree that he was a man of simple means with a passion for coffee, discussions among friends, reading, watching movies, the Pacers, Notre Dame, Green Bay Packers, and listening to music. Many times, he would be listening to a game on the radio, reading a book, and watching a movie – all at the same time. He also enjoyed traveling and experiencing new cultures.
He leaves behind a loving family: daughters Sophia Angela Parker (née Vinci-Booher) and her husband Jake Anthony Parker, and Angela Clare Harmon (née Vinci-Booher) and their mother Ella Vinci; and grandchildren Emma Harmon, Audrey Parker, Abigail Parker, Millie Harmon, Anne Parker, and Rose Parker. His legacy lives on in their hearts and in the many lives he touched.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, November 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lauck & Veldhof Funeral Home, 1458 S. Meridian St., with a rosary service to follow at 5 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 10, at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1530 Union St., with Fr. Duc Pham, O.S.B. presiding. Morning prayers will be held at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. prior to Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In honor of Bill's simplicity and generous spirit, memorial contributions may be made to St. Vincent de Paul in lieu of flowers. Envelopes will be available at all services, and memorial contributions of either money or goods may be made at www.svdpindy.org/give.
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