William Eugene Nason

William Eugene Nason died January 7, 2021, just one day shy of his 96^th birthday, in Community North Hospital Palliative Care. Bill was born January 8, 1925, in Gary, Indiana, to the late Eugene C. Nason and the late Viola M. Anadell Nason. He was raised by his paternal grandmother, Mary Nason. He attended Horace Mann High School and, upon early graduation, joined the Army. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and somewhere during his service was given the nickname Nails, as in “tough as nails.”

After his discharge, he headed to Butler University, where he met his wife of 70 years, Shirley Jean Loucks Nason. In fact, he loved to tell the story that he saw Shirley across the campus courtyard and told his buddy that was the girl he was going to marry. They had never met. He married her in 1950. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1950 and his master’s degree in 1956.

Bill worked more than 30 years for the Indianapolis Public Schools, starting as a teacher at IPS #91. He was principal of IPS #38 until it was closed and then at IPS #101 Harshman Middle School. When he retired, he was in Personnel, recruiting teachers on college campuses. He was a teacher, a coach, a mentor, a father figure and friend to hundreds of IPS students and faculty, several of whom still came to visit him or contact him on a regular basis.

Bill was a member and past president of the Service Club of Indianapolis and a member and past commodore of the Indianapolis Yacht Club. He enjoyed boating, golfing, basketball and, in later life, reading. He never missed watching a Butler University Men’s Basketball game. Julie and Gavin will forever remember the corny poems he would write to them every birthday and holiday, along with spur-of-the-moment storytelling to Gavin when he was young.

He is survived by his wife Shirley, their daughter Julie Ann Nason Vincent (David Vincent), grandson Gavin Eric Vincent (Kerilyn Davis) and Willow, the cat he was so crazy about.

Private graveside services were held at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the Butler University Men’s Basketball Program in Bill’s honor. Please send your gift to Ken LaRose in care of the Butler University Athletic Department, 4600 Sunset Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.