William Ehrich

WILLIAM REED EHRICH 96, died October 8, 2012, at Marquette Health Center. He was born May 17, 1916, in Indianapolis, the third child of William and Helen White Ehrich. Though he lived most of his life in Indianapolis, he spent a few years in Chicago where he learned the basics of photography from a fellow resident at the YMCA. With this knowledge he began a career as a portrait photographer doing business as Bill Ehrich Studios for over forty years. While photographing a wedding in 1942, he met the love of his life, Sarah Lindley, and courted her from Camp Breckenridge, Kentucky. Bill and Sally were married May 2, 1943, and enjoyed 61 years together before her death in early 2004. He is survived by their three children, Thomas Lindley Ehrich (Heidi) of New York City, Anne Ehrich Riley (James W. Jr.) of Indianapolis, David William Ehrich (Jennifer) of Seattle, seven grandchildren and their spouses. Most people who knew Bill were enchanted by his sense of humor and his sweet expression. His children and grandchildren will long remember, and continue to repeat, his old jokes and the old songs he loved to play on the guitar. He was an example of purest devotion, foremost to his wife and children but also to his church and country. At Trinity Episcopal Church he served as senior warden and longtime clerk of the vestry, taught Sunday school, and was a lay minister of communion. Bill was an Eagle Scout, a member of the Indianapolis Rotary Club since 1948 where he once held the distinction of having the longest continuous attendance record, and helped found the Carmel Rotary Club. He was a member and past president of the Indianapolis Literary Club. In more recent years he enjoyed volunteering at WFYI public radio and television station and being a spinner on a winning sheep-to-shawl team that competed in state fairs around the midwest. He was an accomplished woodworker, card player, bread baker and guitarist, passing many of these skills on to his children and grandchildren. Doing crossword puzzles, knitting and working on the computer kept his mind active. The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to his caregivers at Marquette Health Center. Burial services will take place at Trinity Episcopal Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 10. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Trinity Episcopal Church and WFYI. You are invited to go to the Guest Book page to pass along your personal message or tell a story. Sincerely, -Your friends at Flanner and Buchanan