William James McLaughlin

William J McLaughlin, known by most as Bill, passed away February 11, 2024. He was born August 23, 1934 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Clement J. and Helen L. Pattison McLaughlin. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Joyce McLaughlin. He met Joyce when she was “the other girl” on a double date. They married in May, 1956 and raised their family on the east side of Indianapolis.

Bill attended Arsenal Technical High School and became a journeyman sheet metal fabricator. He worked and retired from Western Electric and then from Navistar. A lifelong Eastsider, it seemed Bill never met a stranger. Whether from work, his time as a Warren Township volunteer firefighter, church or his bowling and golf leagues, he collected many friends and seemed to run into them everywhere.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Hardin and brother Jim McLaughlin. He is survived by his daughters Deb (Ken) Macklem and Kathy (Bob) Coram and son, Jeff (Natalie) McLaughlin; grandchildren, Nichole (Alex Hill) McLaughlin, Tony McLaughlin, and Kelsey, Jackson (Cassie), Rob (Diana) and Colleen Coram; and great-grandchildren Sylvie, Lewis and Claire Hill and Eloise Coram, along with nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Saturday, February 17 with service at 1:30 pm at Zion United Church of Christ, 8916 E Troy Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46239. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion United Church of Christ in lieu of flowers.