Date of death: 6/10/2015
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1951
William J. Kaiser, 89, of New Albany passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. Bill was a long-time member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in New Albany. He graduated from St. Mary’s Elementary School, and for years, met with many of his classmates on a regular basis. He attended St. Meinrad Seminary and graduated from New Albany High School and Notre Dame University. A lieutenant in the U. S. Navy, he served our country in the Korean War. A gentle giant in his faith and active in his community, he was first and foremost a family man. He was so very proud of his family and their many accomplishments. He leaves a legacy of faith, family, commitment, and loyalty for us all.Bill began his career at Brown & Imhoff (now Monroe Shine & Co., Inc.). After his military service, he joined First Federal Savings and Loan Association of New Albany where he served for 42 years becoming President, Director, and Chairman of the Board. From there, he served as President, Director, and Chairman of the Board with Community Bank of Southern Indiana (now Your Community Bank) from 1954 to 1996.His positions also included: past Director, President, and Chairman of the Indiana League of Savings Associations; past Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis; past President and Director of Salcor, Inc. (the Indiana Service Corporation of the Indiana League of Savings Institutions; 60 years with the Cardinal Ritter Council 1221 Knights of Columbus where he served as past Faithful Navigator of the New Albany Fourth Degree; past Director of the Homebuilders Association of Southern Indiana; past President and Director of the New Albany and Floyd County Chamber of Commerce; charter and Vice President of the New Albany Harvest Homecoming committee; past board member and president of the New Albany Industrial Foundation, Inc.; past chairman of the Finance Committee of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church; past member of the Finance Advisory Board of Our Lady of Providence High School; past General Advisory Board member at Prosser Vocational Center in New Albany; charter member of the New Albany Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast; Director and Secretary of Kaiser Wholesale, Inc., in New Albany; charter member of the Coach Alex Thom Scholarship Fund Committee; and 2010 inductee to the New Albany High School Hall of Fame.Bill met his beloved wife, Helen, at a savings and loan seminar in Indianapolis. Married for 53 years, Bill and Helen attended and supported the many sports events of their children and grandchildren throughout their elementary, high school, and college years. Bill enjoyed every day of his retirement except for the day of his wife’s passing.Bill was born on December 26, 1925 in New Albany to the late William H. Jack” and M. Mildred (Day) Kaiser. He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen L. (West) Kaiser; infant sons, William J., Jr., and Stephen J. Kaiser; brothers, Louis A., George E., and John R. “Jack” Kaiser; and sister, Darlene M. Kaiser.He is survived by his daughters, Mary Gronotte and her husband, Daniel of Lanesville, and Ann Day and her husband, Dr. Christopher Day of Sellersburg; sons, Joseph Kaiser and his fianc+¼e, Carla Love, Paul Kaiser and his wife, Wendy of New Albany, James Kaiser and his wife, Sara of Fishers, Indiana, William Kaiser and his wife, Angela of Floyds Knobs, Indiana; sister, Joyce Krementz; 17 grandchildren, Christine Gronotte Furjes (Matthew), Anna Gronotte, Alex (Kristin), Erich, and Morgan Day, Will, Weston, Jacob, and Grace Helen Kaiser, Cole, Jared, Elle, and Reese Kaiser, Zachary, Kaylee, Lilly, and Mia Kaiser; and two great-grandchildren, Skylar and Lincoln Furjes. “