William "Bill" Meisler

William S. “ Bill” Meisler, age 88, of Evansville, went to be with the Lord Sunday September 29, 2013. Bill was a member of F.J. Reitz High School graduating class of 1943. After graduation he served in the United States Army during World War II as a medic. After returning home he married the love of his life, Evelyn (Deig) Meisler on March 20, 1947. She was everything to him and him to her. Their life together was filled with respect, trust, friendship, and most of all love. Bill’s determination, perseverance and with the love of his wife, they founded Meisler Cartage in 1963 in the basement of their home with just one truck. From those humble beginnings and the help of his two sons they grew the one company into two – Meisler Trailer Rentals and Walt’s Drive-A-Way Service. Bill could be seen at either company on any given day. He valued and respected all of the people that had helped him in making these companies a success. Everyone knew it was Bill in his black pick-up with all the chrome accessories and chicken lights. Bill also had a calling for public service, where he served on the Evansville Fire Department for 26 years. During that time he rode on the rescue squad – he was proud to say that he was the first on the scene. He also was one of the first members of the EFD dive & rescue squad. Bill retired for the Evansville Fire Department as a District Chief on January 1, 1980. Bill was a life time member of VFW Post #1114, American Legion Funkhouser Post#8 and AMVETS #84. He was also a life member of the Riverbend Assoc., Indiana Heart Associations, and St. Philips Conservation Club, Indiana Fire Association. In his spare time he enjoyed making homemade wine and giving it to anyone who would enjoy it. Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Evelyn (Deig) Meisler; two sons Ronald Meisler (Janetta Travis) and Donald (Janet) Meisler, both of Evansville; sister Margaret Hopper of Evansville; Four Grandchildren, Shelley Meisler-Stratman (Brian), Mindy Sagez (Nic), Kelley Meisler-Begle (Curt) and Shelby Meisler all of Evansville and four great grandchildren Bill was preceded in death by parents, William J. and Gertrude (Brenstrop) Meisler and three sisters Louise Eberhard, Fern Doerr and Ethel Lehnhard. Funeral services for Bill will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Pierre Funeral Home, Rev. Darrel Rice officiating. Entombment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, where the Vanderburgh County Retired Veterans Memorial Club and Evansville Fire Department Honor Guard will conduct funeral rites. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Pierre Funeral Home, 2601 W. Franklin Street. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Evansville Fire Department Pipe and Drum Corps or to the Evansville Fire Fighters Local #357 Honor Guard, both at 550 S.E. 8th Street, Evansville, IN 47711.

William "Bill" Meisler

November 13, 1924 - September 29, 2013