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Online Obituaries for the Indianapolis IN Area

Mr. William Sackman Harrington

July 25, 1927 - July 17, 2009

William S. Harrington passed peacefully while asleep on Friday, July 17,2009. Born on July 25, 1927, he was the only child of Robert and Helen Harrington. Bill is survived by his loving wife of fifty-six years, Nancy (Owen) Harrington, and four children, Susan Bryan, Sally Ellison (husband, Durbin), Stacy Roberts (husband, Jon), and William O. Harrington (wife, Betty). Bill had six grandchildren, Cori Lagani, Megan Bryan, Matthew Roberts, Lee Ellison, Andrew Roberts, and Molly Bryan. Bill had one great-grandchild, Gino Lagani.
Bill grew up in Indianapolis. He was a member of the Class of 1945 at Shortridge High School. After serving in the United States Navy during the Second World War in 1945, Bill matriculated at Indiana University with the benefit of the G.I. Bill, graduating with a degree in Finance in 1949. While at I.U., Bill was a member of Beta Theta Pi. Bill met his future wife, Nancy, on a blind date in November 1952. They married on January 10, 1953.
Bill began his thirty-five year career with Merrill Lynch in 1954. He was a stockbroker. Bill retired from Merrill Lynch in 1989 after receiving recognition as a member of The Charles E. Merrill Circle and The Chairman's Club.
Bill and Nancy retired to Sun City West, Arizona, in 1987, where they pursued their shared love of daily golf, lots of warm sun, and time floating in the swimming pool. Bill served on the Board of Directors of the Sun City West Foundation from 1990 through 1994.
Bill and Nancy returned to Indianapolis in 2002 to spend more time with family and friends. In recent years, Bill has enjoyed regular lunches with his classmates from Shortridge and his fraternity brothers from the Pi Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.
Another member of the "greatest generation" has passed. Devoted to his work and the love of his family, Bill was a simple man. It seems somehow fitting that Bill passed during the weekend of The British Open golf tournament because one of his greatest loves during recent years has been watching Tiger Woods play golf.
All of Bill's family had the opportunity to gather and spend Father's Day with him. So many fond memories will live warmly in our hearts forever. We love you Pop. Peace be with you.
Services will be held on MondayJuly20, 2009 at the Crown Hill Gothic Chapel at 1:00 P.M. with visitation from 11:30 A.M. until the time of service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Heritage of Pi Capital Campaign, Pi Chapter, Beta Theta Pi, P. O. Box 5782, Bloomington, Indiana 47407-5782 (the building fund for a new Chapter House for Beta Theta Pi at Indiana University). Arrangements entrusted to Crown Hill Funeral Home.