CARMEL
James William (Bill) Kendall, aged 92, residing at Woodland Terrace in Carmel, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025.
Bill was born June 9, 1932 in Ashland, Kentucky. He grew up in Indianapolis and graduated from Broad Ripple High School. Bill attended DePauw University where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, and earned a degree in English. At DePauw he met and eventually married Mary Ann Smith in 1955, and they had four children.
Bill started his career with National City Bank in New York City prior to joining the United States Air Force as a First Lieutenant, serving from 1955 to 1957.
He continued his career in Indianapolis, working in sales and advertising before moving to Columbus, Indiana in 1966 as Special Accounts Manager for Arvin Industries. Over a 30 year career at Arvin, Bill worked in senior positions in market development and personnel, and retired in 1996 as Vice President Community Relations.
Bill Kendall believed strongly in improving his community, and the lives and education of community members. He was known by all as a dedicated, positive and personable servant who never had a cross word, or thought, for another. Bill worked to present worthwhile ideas in novel terms, and achieved success through focus and persistence coupled with empathy and concern.
Over four decades in Columbus he led a large number of community organizations. Among a multitude of volunteer positions, Bill was Chairman Bartholomew County United Way, Chairman Bartholomew County Heart Association, President Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation, President Bartholomew County Foundation for Youth, Director Leadership Bartholomew County, Chairman South Central Indiana Private Industry Council (SCIPIC), Chairman Indiana Council for Economic Education (ICEE), Director Columbus Regional Hospital Foundation, President Columbus Foundation for Youth, and Chairman Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. Bill served as chairman of the contributions committee of the Arvin Foundation from 1978 to 1995, effectively directing significant investments in many community initiatives. Bill received the Paul Samuelson Award for Community Leadership from the ICEE in 1999. Bill was a strong supporter of The Nature Conservancy, serving as Trustee of the Indiana chapter.
Bill was devoted to his family. He provided lifelong encouragement and support for his children by taking great interest in their development and careers, and by sending letters, and articles of interest. He organized many years of “Kendall Open” tournaments to share his enthusiasm for tennis with his family.
Bill and Mary Ann traveled extensively to Europe, Asia, Africa, and on sailing trips in the Caribbean. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Italy with their children and grandchildren. In retirement, they thoroughly enjoyed spending winters on Sanibel Island, Florida with frequent family member visits.
Bill is survived by Mary Ann, his wife of 70 years, his children Susan, Tom, Jim and Sally, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Donations in remembrance of Bill should be made to The Nature Conservancy and the Sigma Chi Foundation.
