William H. Lewis

WILLIAM H. LEWIS, of Rockford, died unexpectedly of a brain aneurism at 12:00 P.M. Sunday, March 11, 2007 in Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee. Born December 20, 1942 in Oak Park, IL. Bill was a devoted son of William F. and Louise Bromann Lewis, and a Rockford resident since 1961. After graduating from Campion High School in Prairie Du Chien, WI in 1960, he went on to the University of Notre Dame where he received a degree in Industrial Design in 1964. While there, he was a member of the marching band and ROTC. After graduation, he served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy, including a tour of duty in Viet Nam. On April 8, 1967, Bill married Anne Harvey in Chicago, and the two lived in Rockford where they raised five loving children. He worked at Hamilton-Sundstrand for 33 years, first as an engineer and then as a Human Resources Manager before retiring in 1999. Following that, he taught Business and Marketing at Boylan Central Catholic High School for 6 years, and most recently became the Senior Technical Recruiter for Ingenium Technologies. He also previously taught night classes at Rock Valley College. A long-time active member of the Cathedral of St. Peter, Bill was presently serving on the Parish Council Finance Committee and formerly served as co-president of the Home & School board. He was an annual retreatant of the Serra Club, and a member of both the Klehm Arboretum Board of Directors and the Notre Dame Club of Rockford. Bill had a wonderful sense of humor and was a master craftsman on all projects as well as a master ""tailgater"" . He was a ""walking encyclopedia"" on any subject and was extremely generous, selfless, humble and patient. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather as well as a loyal friend. Creative and analytical, Bill was a true renaissance man, but first and foremost a loving family man. Survivors include his wife, Anne; children, Bill (Suzanne), Rockford, Christie (Bryan) Ortwein, Milwaukee, WI., Paul (Margaret), Phoenix, AZ., Katie, Chicago and Julie, Rockford; grandchildren, Mary Ella, Paul Joseph, Jr. and Robert Lewis; Brogan and Cole Ortwein and one grandchild expected in September to Bill & Suzanne. Also survived by his mother, Louise, Oceanside, CA; sisters, Joan Lewis, Rome, Italy and Gail (Paul) Tompkins, Solana Beach, CA; brother, Richard Lewis, Oceanside, CA; nieces, nephew, great-nieces, great-nephew, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins. Predeceased by his father, Bill, and his nephew, Christopher. Funeral mass will be at 11 A.M. on Saturday, March 17, 2007 in Rockford at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 1243 N. Church St. with Rev. Kenneth Wasilewski officiating; burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation on Friday at 5:30 P.M in Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:45 P.M. A visitation will also be held from 10:00 A.M. until time of the Mass on Saturday at the church. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 4312 E. State, Rockford, IL 61108 or the Prostate Cancer Society through the Notre Dame Club of Rockford.