Beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, community servant, friend and Indianapolis sports icon, Wilson D. “Bill” York passed on Aug. 20, 2024, in Franklin, TN at the age of 91. Born on May 23, 1933, to Kenneth P. York and Leona Irene Moore York, Bill was the elder brother of Jane Anne York Baker and James O. York. He grew up on the York Farm near Peru, IN, went to Bunker Hill High School and attended Purdue University where he was a member of the TKE Fraternity. During college he served in the Army for two years and then returned to Purdue to complete his degree. It was there he met his dear wife, Janice (Jay) Shafer on a blind date. They married on June 1, 1957, and moved to Indianapolis. Son Rick was born in 1959 and 13 months later, daughter Marla came along.
Bill’s first job was as a sales representative for meat producer Stark & Wetzel. He then embarked on a 60+ year career selling material handling equipment throughout the state of Indiana. Bill’s entry into the realm of Indianapolis sports began in 1958 when he was hired by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as a statistician for the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race. That spawned a “second” career of extraordinary service to local, national and international media that lasted more than 50 years. In addition to becoming a fixture in the IMS Media Center as its director, York and his dedicated “crew” led media services for the ABA/NBA Indiana Pacers, the NFL Indianapolis Colts, the Indianapolis Ice, the Indiana Fever and virtually every major sporting event that came through the Fairgrounds Coliseum, Market Square Arena, the RCA Dome, Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium.
Affable with a keen wit and hearty laugh, York was more than a familiar face to media. He was their friend. The value of Bill’s and his team’s dedicated service to the Pacers, Colts and IMS and the media they attracted cannot be overstated. Bill and his long-time media services assistant at the Speedway, Bob Laycock, also were well known for the meticulous and distinctive 500 qualifying cards they would post in the media room. Those cards often became prized keepsakes for the drivers and teams.
Bill was recognized with the 2010 Bob Russo Founders Award for lifelong contributions to motorsports, the 2011 Jim Chapman Award for excellence in motorsports public relations and the STP Unsung Hero Award. In tribute, the Pacers media room at Gainbridge Fieldhouse bears his name in recognition of the more than 2,000 games he served directing media services and the statistics crew.
Along with his day jobs and his multiple sports activities, Bill served as a Pike Township Precinct Committeeman, PTA President at Pike High School and Clermont Town Board President. Bill and Jay loved to host pool parties, bringing people together to share good food and fun. The York 4th of July parties were legendary. Bill dressing as Santa at Christmastime was a joy! Bill and Jay enjoyed traveling with friends and family, including several trips to the Caribbean. They cherished Disney World trips with their grandsons.
Bill spent the last three years embracing life at NHC Place at Cool Springs in Franklin, TN where he was the council president with many residents and staff calling him the “Mayor.” He enjoyed weekly music programs, bingo, church, Bible study, spending time in the courtyard watching the birds, and tending to the fish in his aquarium. The family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at NHC Place Cool Springs for providing amazing care and an abundance of love.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sister, wife and son. He is survived by his daughter, Marla Linder and son in law, Fred; grandsons Sam Linder (Jane), Wilson Linder (Courtney), great grandchildren, Wilson, Briar and Kenneth; his brother, Jim York (Beth), his Aunt Mary Reinholt, special friend Ruth Ann Tollison and many cherished cousins, nieces and nephews. Bill’s legacy is one of love for family and friends, service and an unending commitment to the community where he lived.
A Celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, September 27th at Flanner Buchanan, Speedway, IN. The family will welcome visitors starting at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s honor to The Benevolent Fund of Motor Sports Inc.
