Surgeon,

I first met you at the 1992 Nike Camp in Indianapolis. You were just a great person to speak with at that point. Little did I know I would make a friend for a lifetime. All of those Big Ten road trips to your neck of the woods saw to that, and your general kind-heartedness and obvious mutual love of the game of basketball. Rest in peace, my friend...Pete

A life well-lived is a precious gift of hope, strength and grace from someone who has made our world a brighter, better place. It's filled with moments sweet and sad, with smiles and sometimes tears, with friendships formed and good times shared. A life well-lived is a legacy of joy; a loving, lasting memory our grateful hearts will always treasure.

Bill, yours was a life well-lived. You touched our hearts, you made us feel like family, and you showed us God's love. Rest in peace, tell Mary Margaret and Steve we love them and miss them, and save us a place in heaven. We will miss you.

A few years my son and I were at a Ben Davis basketball game. We ran into Bill who I had known for years growing up in Chapel Glen. He was going to the Indiana State game the next day and asked my boys and I to meet him at the game. We showed up at the Hulman Center and I called Bill. He told me to bring the boys down to the court to sit at his courtside table. My boys were really excited to sit right in front of the action. Bill fed them tootsie rolls and kept introducing us to all the former players and coaches sitting courtside. He took us in the locker room to meet the coaches and players after the game. We ended up attending several games with Bill that year always sitting at his table. On the Sunday night Indiana State won the Missouri Valley Tourney to qualify for the NCAAs our phone rang during dinner. It was Bill. He said, "get the boys and jump in your car and come and pick me up. We are going to meet the team for the celebration at Hulman Center." We went to Terre Haute that night and joined the party. Afterwards Bill took us into the locker room to talk to the coach Greg Lansing and to get pictures with the Missouri Valley championship trophy. I could write forever talking about what an amazing guy Bill Pfister is. I have never met anyone like him. I have never met anyone who knew even half of the people Bill knew. He will be truely missed.

Was so very happy to assist Bill in making arrangements to participate with the Honor Flight to D.C. as a last horrah. He called me just a week before he passed away to tell me how he felt like a celebrity with all the people shaking his hand, kissing him, and applauding him. I told him he had to share all the pictures with us on his next visit to the VA. If any of his family members visit the VA, please stop by Home Oxygen and share the photos with us. He was a remarkable man and such a pleasure to see as a patient. I also appreciated the time he took to speak to my son who participated in the Color Guard during ISU games. Bill, you'll be missed.

Bill was a legend in the Indiana basketball community. Everybody knew Bill, and everybody liked Bill. For awhile he was just the older nice fellow who I always saw at high school basketball games and chatted with. But over my 20 years at channel 13, we got to know each other and became friends. We talked about basketball, of course. But we talked about our families and life more. I was grateful for Bill's prayers for me during the most difficult time in my life. He never let more than a few weeks pass without calling me. I would not only see him at games, but also at the Speedway where he also seemed to know everybody. It was my privilege to attend his 90th birthday party and learn so much more about his remarkable life. And I was able to take him to lunch one last time in this past year, where he shared a few more great stories. I am honored to have called Bill a friend.

On December 26, 2013, I was working at The Pizza Hut Classic as an EMT. Our seats were at a table on the court. During the first game, there was a gentlemen sitting to my left. I noticed many people coming over and talking to him. I started wondering, who is this old guy. Halfway through the first game this bite size Snickers smacks my hand. Looking to my left, theres Bill, with a sparkle in his eye and grinning ear to ear he said, I'm Bill, The Surgeon. Bill, broke the ice.For the next 6 games, we talked and talked and talked some more. I thought I knew Bill all my life. Throughout those 6 games many people stopped by to talk to Bill.The thing I remember most, they did'nt shake his hand. No one shook Bill's hand. No one shook Bill's hand because eveyone of them, hugged him. I knew he was a special person, a very well loved person. Bill and I kept in contact and went to a few ball games together. I treasure my 5 months with him. He always said love God, your family and your friends.If I look up the definition of LOVE, Bill picture is there. Bill, you will always be in me heart. Thank you and God Bless.

Truly one of the finest in Indiana and will be missed. Ron

Ann, So sorry to read of your Brother's passing. You are in our prayers.

A visit to Grandma Pfister's for Sunday brunch held the anticipation of eating and of playing with the cousins, maybe even begging to attend a movie. But there was 'trepidation', too, at least for me, if young Uncle Bill was entertaining on the porch with stories. He was so intriguing that we would never realize when his 'Bird' would descend upon someone's little knee with an excruciating talon grip, raising screams by the recipient as well as by those who escaped. In later years a visit with him evoked a tremble of a re-occurrence!

Mr. and Mrs. Nick Hilscher made a donation to MISSION PARTNERS GUATEMALA

In loving memory of our dear friend, Bill Pfister.