Rev. William J. Dietsch

Reverend William J. Dietsch, 82, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at North River Nursing Home. Fr. Bill was born on October 9, 1943, to the late Edward and Marie (Hasenour) Dietsch in Gibson County, Indiana. Surviving are sisters, Bernadette Dietsch and Judith Gorman; niece, Elizabeth (Kevin) Besing; nephews, Michael (Jennifer) Dietsch, Paul (Karen) Gorman, and Thomas Gorman; and great niece and great nephew, Julian and Mirabelle Dietsch.
Fr. Bill studied at St. Mary's College, St. Mary, Kentucky and at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained a priest on December 18, 1971, at St. Wendel Parish by Bishop Francis R. Shea.
He loved serving the People of God and he was a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Fr. Bill's roots were important to him: he loved the land he lived on and he faithfully worked in the vineyard of the Lord for 54 years. He loved serving on retreats, sharing God's message of love, and shared freely from several joke books for which he was known and loved.
His first appointment was at St. Theresa Parish in Evansville in August of 1972. Subsequently, he served as Associate Pastor, St. Agnes Parish, Evansville, including a teaching assignment at Mater Dei High School, and Director of Christian Young Adults. In July 1978 he served as the Associate Pastor at Holy Cross Parish, Fort Branch. In June of 1979 he became Pastor of Mary, Help of Christians Parish in Mariah Hill. He served on the Senate of Priests and was appointed a Diocesan consultor in January of 1983. He served at Nativity Parish in Evansville as Pastor for three years from 1987-1990. For 6 year he served as Pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Petersburg followed by a term as Pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Poseyville. He added Holy Angels Parish in 2003. In 2004, he returned as Pastor to Mary Help of Christians Parish in Mariah Hill, and St. John Chrysostom in New Boston. Fr. Bill retired from active ministry in 2008, but continued to serve at St. Vincent Hospital until he could no longer do so.
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at St. Wendel Catholic Church, Bishop Joseph Siegel and priests of the Diocese of Evansville officiating. Burial will follow in St. Wendel Church Cemetery.
Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 7:00 PM on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street, where there will be a vigil service held at 7:00 PM. Friends may also visit from 9:30 AM until service time on Tuesday at St. Wendel Catholic Church, 10542 W. Boonville New Harmony Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Diocese of Evansville, 4200 N. Kentucky Ave, Evansville, IN 47711.
Condolences may be made online at www.pierrefuneralhome.com.