William Joseph Kestermeier

William "Bill" Kestermeier, 93, of Fort Myers, FL (formerly South Bend, IN) passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. He was born on February 24, 1930, in Terre Haute, IN to the late August and Mildred (Davern) Kestermeier. He is also proceeded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Marlene (Krol), his brother John Kestermeier, and great grandson, James Reagan.
Bill grew up in Terre Haute and graduated from Wiley High School. He played on the basketball team with his towering height of 6'6". He graduated from Rose Polytechnic Institute with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was also a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. While in school, he enrolled in the ROTC program and graduated with a Second Lieutenant Commission. In 1984, Bill was bestowed an honorary doctorate in engineering from Rose Hulman. He was also elected to the board of directors where he held a position for many years.
Upon graduating, Bill accepted a job with McDonald Aircraft in St. Louis where after just six months he was called into service by the Army. He served 12 months stateside and 12 months in France and was discharged as a First Lieutenant. Bill accepted an engineering position with Bendix Corporation in South Bend. He spent his first six years in the Aircraft Division and the next 35 years with the Brake & Steering Division. After 40 years he concluded his career as Vice President of Global Quality Control. Bill also enjoyed officiating high school football games for many years and in 1969 he became an NFL official. During his five years with the NFL, he officiated in every major city and stadium. A treasured moment was signaling, directly under the goal post, Tom Dempsey's record breaking 63 yard field goal for New Orleans in 1972.
Bill met his adoring wife, Marlene, in 1954 on a blind date and they married on February 19, 1955. In 1969, Bill and Marlene purchased a cottage on Big Crooked Lake in Sister Lakes, Michigan. The lake because a staple in their children's and grandchildren's lives where weekends each summer were spent boating, playing cards and enjoying meals together. Bill could often be found in the water swimming with his grandkids and water skiing well into his 70's. During the school year, Bill attended sports events to support his kids and grandkids, and was a longtime president of John Adams High School Booster Club. After retiring in 1994, Bill and Marlene spent their winters in Ft. Myers where Bill would eventually live full-time. He served on several HOA boards over the years.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Jill (John) Logan of Carmel, IN and son, James (Gail) Kestermeier of Ft. Myers, FL; his grandchildren, Thomas Logan of Carmel, Phillip (Kristin) Kestermeier of South Bend, Kristin Marsh of Ft. Myers, and Bridget (Caleb) Reagan of Seminole, FL; and his great grandchildren, William and Amelia Kestermeier of South Bend.
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 5:00 pm on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Kaniewski Funeral Home located at 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, December 18 at Corpus Christi Church, 2822 Corpus Christi Drive, South Bend with burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend, and concluding with a luncheon. To send online condolences please visit www.kaniewski.com.
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