William "Bill" Russell LaFleur

William (Bill) Russell LaFleur, 75, a lifelong resident of Lorain County, was promoted to Heaven on Dec. 29. Bill had bravely battled Parkinson’s disease for many years before succumbing to health complications associated with COVID-19. 

Bill was born in Lorain, Ohio, the third of six siblings, and resided on Lake Road for much of his childhood.  He attended St. Mary’s High School where he graduated in 1962. A resident of Elyria, Ohio, since 1983, Bill spent the majority of his adult life working in commercial banking and retirement plan investing for several of the prominent financial institutions in Cleveland, Ohio.

Born two years to the day after his brother Virgil (Pete), Bill followed in Pete’s footsteps by attending the University of Notre Dame where they sang together in the Notre Dame Glee Club under Professor Dan “The Dean” Pedtke.  One of Bill’s fondest memories of that time was welcoming then Notre Dame President Father Ted Hesburgh into the LaFleur family home.  Bill graduated from Notre Dame, in 1966, with a bachelor’s degree in English.  Later, Bill saw his own footsteps retraced by all three of his children who also graduated from Notre Dame. His twins Julia and William (Julie and Billy) were members of Naval ROTC and have gone on to serve as commissioned Navy officers.  Bill’s youngest, Matty, went on to acquire his CPA license and continues in that work, serving Christian non-profit organizations.

Bill obtained a Master’s in English from Case Western Reserve in 1968, in nearby Cleveland, prior to spending four years as a middle school English teacher. He also earned an MBA from Baldwin Wallace (Berea, Ohio), in 1981. 

Later in life, Bill taught American Institute of Banking courses for adults, while also serving in the Lorain Lions Club and on the Lorain International Committee. A 40-year member of Elyria’s Church of the Open Door, he was a church trustee in addition to teaching Sunday School and adult Bible discipleship classes. He also served as Board Member on the Open Door Christian School School Board, serving as chairman for several years. 

From his early days as a cherubic, redheaded prankster, Bill was always known for his quick wit and dry sarcasm. His trademark, high-pitched laughter initially would startle all within earshot … before becoming the definition of an infectious laugh. Bill’s extended family have fond memories from fishing on his boat out on Lake Erie and being together at Linwood Park in Vermilion, OH.  He loved spending time with his family and friends, enjoyed singing, snow-skiing, building model airplanes, cars, and trains, and he could often be found rooting for Notre Dame football, the Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland Browns. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents: Virgil Alfred and Gertrude Elizabeth (Russell). He is survived by: wife Marijane Clarice (Cook); children Julie (Victoria Kay), Billy (Giovanna Torres), and Matt (Lindsey Lundy); grandsons David and Emmerich with another grandchild on the way; and his four siblings: Suzie Hoenig, Virgil, Mary Szczepanik, and Paul. 

A private ceremony will be held at Hempel Funeral Home with  burial at Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst, OH.  Pastor Jason Russ, Church of the Open Door, will officiate.  A rebroadcasting of services will be available at youtube.com - Hempel Funeral Home.  A Celebration of Life will be planned for a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill’s name to either: Church of the Open Door (Elyria, OH), Cornerstone Pregnancy Services (Elyria, OH), or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. 

The LaFleur family extends their heartfelt gratitude to all the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and friends who so selflessly cared for Bill over the years.

John 14:27  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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