William Gustave Kriesel, 90, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully at home on March 4, 2025.

Known to most as Bill, he was born in Michigan City, Indiana on October 6, 1934, to the late Albion and Josephine (Forrester) Kriesel.

Bill loved everything about growing up in Michigan City and held his hometown close to his heart. He had many jobs as a young man, but his favorite was becoming a caddy, which sparked his lifelong love affair with the game of golf. After graduating from Elston High School and serving in the United States Army, including duty in Korea and Japan, Bill attended Purdue University on the G.I. Bill. There, he obtained both his bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering and was a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity. He was an active Purdue alumnus, serving the Alumni Foundation, the President's Council, and the John Purdue Club - where he was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award.

Bill worked as a structural engineer for Martin Marietta and Construction Products before starting his own firm, Contech Architects and Engineers. After moving to Fort Wayne, he accepted an executive position with Masolite Concrete Products, eventually becoming the owner of that company and several subsidiaries. Throughout his career Bill was involved in many unique, innovative, and award-winning prestressed concrete projects. He received many accolades, including recipient of the Gold Star by the NE Indiana BCA, Fellow of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, and the Civil Engineering Alumni Achievement Award by the Purdue University School of Engineering.

While at Purdue, Bill met the love of his life, Hazel Irene Ganoe. They were married on August 29, 1959, and celebrated 61 years together before her passing in January of 2021. Bill and Hazel started their family in Lafayette, Indiana and enjoyed many happy years there before moving to Fort Wayne in 1974. They were active members of Saint Joseph Church and later became members of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Church.

Bill was an avid sports fan and loved attending and watching many different sporting events. Other than playing golf, his favorite pastime was cheering on his beloved Purdue Boilermakers. He shared that passion with Hazel, their family, and many friends; that connection brought him great joy throughout his lifetime.

Bill is survived by his sister, Barbara Troy; two daughters, Rebecca (Michael) Flaherty and Jennifer (Mark) Disler; son, William A. (Susan) Kriesel; grandchildren, Emily (Andrew) Perkins, Michael (Elizabeth) Flaherty, Tyler, Madeline, Noah and Ellen Kriesel, and Nate Disler; great-grandchildren; Iris, Jane, Fiona, and Mae Flaherty; sister-in-law, Barbara Bortner; and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Charles W. Ganoe, Jr. and Matthew M. Troy; and his brothers at heart, A. Charles Shikany and Charles A. Reynolds.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church, 10700 Aboite Center Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 with visitation one hour prior.  Visitation will also be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805.   Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, www.ccfwsb.org/donate. Condolences can be left at www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com for the family.