In Memory
William R. Heiden
Dec. 27, 1921 - June 1, 2011
SOUTH BEND - William "Bill" R. Heiden Sr., 89, residing in South Bend, passed away at 4:40 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2011, in Our Lady of Peace Hospital, Mishawaka. Bill was born on December 27, 1921, in South Bend, to William C. and Anna Magdeline (Arndt) Heiden, and had remained a lifelong area resident. In August 1942,
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served three years and two months during WW II. At one time during his service career, he spent two years aboard the USS Cabot, an aircraft carrier, in the Third then Fifth Fleets in the Japanese war area of the Pacific Ocean. At one time, his ship was at sea and in combat for a full thirteen-month period without touching land. His ship was hit by two Kamikazi suicide planes. He finished his service career at the Naval Aviation School in Chicago, IL, with an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in October 1945.
Before Bill left for sea duty, on June 26, 1943, in St. Patrick's Catholic Church in South Bend, he married the former Annabelle June Ewing. Upon his return to civilian life, Bill and Anne raised seven living children, with one baby deceased at birth. Called a "Jack-of-all trades," Bill wanted to be an architect, but he worked as a draftsman and land surveyor for four years for Colpert Realty Corporation. He then worked for Constructioneers, a home-building contractor, as a foreman and layout man. In 1954, he started his own remodeling and home-building company until his retirement in 1983. During this time, he also developed his own 16-lot subdivision in Clay Township, called Ponderosa Lake Estates.
Bill is survived by his seven children, William R. (Rosemary) Heiden Jr. of South Bend, Kathleen (Thomas L. Sr.) Heminger of South Bend, Patrick J. (Mitzi) Heiden of South Bend, Michael D. (Sandy) Heiden Sr. of South Bend, Robert J. (Michelle) Heiden Sr. of Plymouth, Janie Ann (John M. Sr.) Emmons of South Bend and Lori Ann (Christopher) Horan, also of South Bend; as well as 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Anne, on May 19, 1996, and by a sister, Mary Jean Macri, in June 2009.
Bill loved the game of golf and was in the game from childhood as a caddie at Erskine Park to well into his 80s. He was in leagues at Hampshire Country Club in Dowagiac, MI, and also started the golf league for his Knights of Columbus Council in Mishawaka. Bill was a good father and a good teacher of how to get things done. He was a devout Catholic and a member of Little Flower Catholic Church from 1950 to the present. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Mishawaka Council #1878 as a 4th Degree member.
He also belonged to American Legion Post #161 in Mishawaka and was a 1939 graduate of Riley High School.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2011, in Little Flower Catholic Church, 54191 Ironwood Road, South Bend. Military graveside services and burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery on Portage Road in South Bend. The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 6:00 p.m. today, June 5, 2011, in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, and one hour prior to Mass in church on Monday. A Rosary will be said at 5:30 p.m. today in the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Bill may be made to Little Flower Catholic Church. Online condolences to the Heiden family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Published by South Bend Tribune from Jun. 4 to Jun. 5, 2011.
07/02/2023 EJS
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