William C. Bonifield

William C. Bonifield 82, of Indianapolis, passed away Saturday December 3, 2016 at home surrounded by his wife of 59 years and their four children. He was born on September 29, 1934 to the late Clarence W. and Evelyn (Riley) Bonifield in Chicago, IL. He was a graduate of Fenger High School on Chicago’s south side and served in the U.S. Army. Bill received his B.S. from Bradley University where he was a member of Theta Xi fraternity and his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Minnesota.

Bill was a terminal manager of Bonifield Brother’s Truck Line in Chicago, IL before he began his career in education. His first stop was at Wabash College where he was a Professor and eventual Chair of the department of Economics from 1964 to 1981. During that time, he helped establish the Opportunities to Learn About Business (O.L.A.B.) summer program at Wabash and spent a year as the Director of the European Urban Term for the Great Lakes Colleges Association. In 1981 Bill became Dean of the College of Business Administration at Butler University. In 1984 Lilly Endowment appointed Bill as Vice President for Education where he served for a decade. Upon his retirement from the Endowment, he worked as the Director of the DePauw University McDermond Center for Management & Entrepreneurship from 1994 to 1998, the final two years as Assistant Director.
Throughout his professional career and retirement, Bill’s dedication to service was far reaching. He served on several Boards, including the Governing Board for Scholarship America, Indiana Dollars for Scholars, The Charles A. Tindley Accelerated Schools and Junior Achievement of Central Indiana. Other service activities included pro bono Consultant for Executive Service Corps, volunteer tax preparer for AARP, Chair for Partners in Education Committee – IPS School 60 and an Endowment Fund Trustee and Tutor for Tabernacle Presbyterian Church where he was a member.
Bill won numerous awards and was honored often. One award that he was particularly fond of was his induction to the Centurion Society. This elite society was established to recognize Bradley University alumni who have brought national and international prominence to the University and serve as examples of commitment and excellence for Bradley alumni and students. Bill received this recognition in 1997 during the University’s 100th anniversary. The Sagamore of the Wabash was awarded to him by Gov. Evan Bayh in 1992 and Freedoms Foundation honored Bill in 1977 with the First Award for Excellence in Private Enterprise Education.
After his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by his sister Shirley Lersch. He is survived by his wife Donna, daughters Cynthia (Patrick) Babington, Susan (Steven) Trautman, sons Jefferson Crow, Stephen Bonifield and his nine grandchildren Kyle, Thomas, Jacob, Kathleen, Julie, Jovin, Joshua, Jackson and Amira as well as his sister Maryjane Brady.
Bill traveled extensively with his young family and later explored the world with Donna by his side, London topped the list of his favorite destinations and they visited often. His passport and travel memories were full having just returned from Scotland this November. If it wasn’t raining or snowing (or even if it was), Bill spent time perfecting his golf swing with his friends at Highland Country Club and in Florida where he wintered with Donna.
Philanthropy, service and simple hard work were the foundational example he built with and for his family.
In the face of a crippling and humiliating disease, Bill died with grace, dignity and much gratitude for the life he had been given. Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Gupta who tended “The Professor” since 2002, the nurses of the cancer unit at St. Vincent’s and Seasons Hospice for their compassionate care.
Goodnight Sweet Prince.
Visitation will be held Saturday December 10, 2016 from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 418 E. 34th St., Indianapolis. A funeral service beginning at 2:00 p.m. will follow visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Scholarship America (Dream Award Scholarship Fund) 7900 International Dr. Suite 500, Minneapolis, MN 55425 (www.ScholarshipAmerica.org) or Tabernacle Church Recreation. Arrangements by Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple.