Louise C. Willson

Margaret Louise Cory Willson, of Indianapolis, IN passed away on May 18, 2026. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio on March 16, 1926, to the late Frank and Marie Cory. Louise had the amazing honor of becoming a centenarian this year, celebrating with family, close friends and chocolate cake (her favorite!).

Louise spent her early years with three brothers in Ohio, until they moved to Hagerstown, Indiana. Her father was the Superintendent of Schools and her mother, a teacher. Louise attended Hagerstown Indiana High School and was voted queen of her senior prom. While a senior in high school, her Aunt Margaret and her good friend Aunt Alice (husband-to-be Bill’s aunt) arranged a date for her with Bill. It was love at first sight. Their first date was a football game and a sock hop.

Louise graduated from high school in 1944. She then attended Indiana University in Bloomington where she was the Homecoming Queen her freshman year. Bill joined the Merchant Marine Academy and spent time during WWII transporting food and supplies. The faithful Louise wrote Bill a letter each day when Bill was away. When the war ended Bill transferred to Purdue University. The couple tied the knot in 1948 when Louise graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business education.

After graduation, Louise taught Business and English at Battle Ground High School, close to Purdue. Bill’s graduation from Purdue in 1951 coincided with the birth of their oldest daughter, Nancy. They moved to Richmond where Bill began working with Richmond Fireproof Doors, and where they bought their first home.

They attended Reid Memorial Church in Richmond. Louise kept busy with bridge clubs, in between giving birth to Debbie in 1954 and Libby in 1959. When the Richmond Gas Company sponsored Louise for the “Mrs. America” competition, she came in second place. The family spent four years in Toronto when Bill was transferred there. The girls learned to ski, ice skate, and sing “God Save The Queen” while Bill enjoyed ice hockey. Following Toronto, Bill found a job in Indianapolis in 1968. Louise continued to substitute teach in Washington Township schools in Indianapolis. She was a life member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and president of their Indianapolis Alumnae Association. Both Louise and Bill loved travel and entertaining fellow church members and neighbors. They were active members of Northminster Presbyterian for 40 plus years where Lousie had the privilege of serving as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Chancel Choir and on the Session. More recently, after moving to the westside of Indianapolis, she was an active member of Tabernacle Presbyterian Church where she served as an usher for many years. She served at Open Door, attended Bible studies, and formed many close friendships. She was also a devoted member of Bible Study Fellowship and served as a discussion leader for 20 years.

Louise and Bill were avid IU sports fans and season ticket holders for IU football and basketball for many years. It was a highlight of her life to witness the NCAA basketball championships of 1953, 1978, 1981 and 1987 (in person in New Orleans, LA). Earlier this year, Louise stayed up to watch the entire NCAA Football Championship game. “I kept telling myself I need to turn off the TV and go to bed, but I could not do it. I kept thinking ‘in my lifetime this has never happened’, so I stayed up to watch the entire game. It seems like a dream, but we really are the 2025 NCAA Football champions! I give all the credit to the coach and players. What an amazing accomplishment!”

She was preceded in death by her husband, William David, of 60 years of marriage; her parents; brothers Charles, Walter, and James Cory; and daughter Deborah Brooks and step-granddaughter Angie Brooks. She is survived by daughters, Nancy (Steve) Kellam of Beverly Hills, FL; Elizabeth "Libby" (Randall) Robertson of Bloomington, IN; son-in-law Duane Brooks of Carmel, IN; eight grandchildren: Matt (Amanda) and Mark Kellam; Kate, Nick (Jayne), and Tyler Brooks; Lauren (Mike) Edmonds; John (Lacey) and Emily Robertson; step-grandchildren Jason (Beth) Brooks and Jill (Matt) Fechtman; four great grandchildren: Magnolia Kellam, Liliana Edmonds, Walker and Lincoln Robertson; and four step-great grandchildren: Eva Baez Brooks, Liam and Finn Brooks and Sam Fechtman.

Louise's family would like to give a heart-felt thank you to the team at AseraCare Hospice as well as the entire staff and nursing team at Hoosier Village Hawthorn and Health Center.  We are immensely grateful for your loving care of our mom during her five years at Hoosier Village.

A Celebration of Life service will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 at the Hoosier Village Chapel at 9875 Cherryleaf Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46268. Visitation will be held at the Chapel from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service. Private family burial services will be held at Earlham Cemetery in Richmond, Indiana later the same day. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tabernacle Presbyterian Church 418 E 34th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205.