William L. Bogardus (Bill), was born Nov 5, 1942 in Belvidere, IL to Agnes K. Gray and Henry W. Bogardus. He was the oldest of 4 boys. He graduated high school in 1960. He earned his under-graduate degree in Math at Eastern Illinois, and his Masters in Actuarial Science at University of Michigan in 1964.

Bill married Pamela N. Treadwell December 27, 1964. They had 2 daughters Belinda Davis, and Tammy Mikesell. He married Lynne B. Ashe on January 2, 1981.

He worked at Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. for almost 30 years, retiring as Vice President of Employee Benefits Division in 1993. He continued consulting for Lincoln until 2021. He also taught a few statistic classes at IPFW. Bill wore a business suit for 30 years, then traded them in for baggy jeans and flannel shirts. He was comfortable in both worlds, but definitely preferred the farm life.

His brain was always working on the next project. If he had to learn a new skill or buy new tools, that made the challenge even better. He designed and built 3 barns, and a brick one-room schoolhouse where he and Lynne taught basket making classes. He learned to lay bricks and laid all 50,000 bricks himself. He created several wood turned baskets combining his love of woodworking and basket making. He especially enjoyed weaving Nantucket baskets because of the challenging nature. He did almost all of his own home-improvements and included his son-in-law, Scott Mikesell, on the projects educating as they worked.

He and Lynne made their 25-acre property into a llama farm in 1992 and had up to 50 llamas at one time. They were happily involved in the Allen County 4-H Llama program and were leaders for 20 years. He loved to go down to the State Fair and assist with the llamas and did this for 10 years. The llama community became extended family and these friendships and ties continue.

He loved the peace and tranquility of the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman, and taught Belinda the love of fishing. He even bought her first filet knife for her 5th birthday. He was a Master Gardener and always had a pair of gardening gloves in his back pocket.

Bill was a teacher at heart. It didn't matter if it was math or yoyo's, he took his instruction seriously and was patient. Math, finance, design, construction, llamas, gardening, fishing, games, cards, he could teach it all. If he didn't know, he researched until he had a solid grasp on it. He was raised in a family of card and game players, so his daughters learned early. His logical mind and mathematical expertise earned him a nickname of "Card Shark". If you beat Bill, you bragged! He was always the one to beat in a game.

He was social and loved get-togethers, parties, and food. He didn't know a stranger and made friends wherever he went. He loved feeding into the next generation spending quality time with his grandkids, nieces, nephews, and especially his great-nephew Taylor.

Bill, along with his wife, Lynne are members of Queen of Angels Catholic Church.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lynne Bogardus, Daughter Tammy (Scott) Mikesell, Grandchildren Ashlyn (Tanner) DuVall, Brett (Kayla) Mikesell, Amber (Conor) Davis. Brother Richard (Kathy) Bogardus. Brother-in-law Bruce (Jane) Ashe. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and Russell Bogardus, daughter Belinda Davis, and granddaughter Jessica Mikesell.

A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 11 a.m. at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Calling will be Monday, December 8, 2025 from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary at 2:45 p.m.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Turnstone - which is committed to helping people with disabilities gain independence and live with dignity or DSANI - Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Indiana