The Bishop Luers High School community is deeply saddened by the passing of Fr. Bill Sullivan. A Bishop Luers Alumnus (Class of '64), Fr. Bill was a constant supporter of the school and could be found at nearly every football game, basketball game, and theater performance. His presence will be greatly missed. May he rest in the peace of Christ.
Father William (Bill) Joseph Sullivan, 79, of Fort Wayne, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 19, 2026.
Fr. Bill was born on May 14, 1946, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Eileen and James Sullivan. He was raised in Presque Isle, Maine, before moving to Fort Wayne with his family in eighth grade, and attended Saint John the Baptist, a parish he called home. He was a proud graduate of Bishop Luers High School in 1964 and remained the most loyal supporter of the school through his final days. He attended the seminary at Saint Gregory and Mount St. Mary’s in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was ordained a Catholic priest to the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese on May 20, 1972.
Fr. Bill faithfully served many parishes, including St. Jude in FW, St. Joseph in FW, St. Monica in Mishawaka, St. Thomas the Apostle in Elkhart, and St. John the Baptist in New Haven. In addition to the countless sacraments he celebrated with parishioners, he could always be found at the sidelines of every sports game and in the seats of every theater performance. Fr. Bill was known for his personal and often humorous homilies. He took joy in being the past moderator of the CYO athletic program in Fort Wayne, a member of the Marian High School Board, and a member of the Bishop Luers High School Board.
He is survived by his siblings, Eileen (Myron) Brodmerkel, James Sullivan, and Joan (Daniel) Bourbonnais. He was the cherished “Uncle Billy” to his nieces and nephews, Patrick Rawlins, Bridget (Jason) Jacoby, Colin (Mara) Brodmerkel, Caitlin (Alex) Krouse, Brendan Rawlins, Deirdre (Brian) Goshert, and Neil Rawlins. He adored his great-nieces and nephews, William, Eddie, Cecilia, Ella, Emmett, James, Luca, Mary, and Markus. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Glen Rawlins, and his niece, Alana Bourbonnais.
Visitation will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Wayne on February 24 from 3:00-7:00 p.m., with a Rosary and vigil service starting at 6:30 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Wayne on February 25 at 11:00 a.m., with visitation one hour before; burial will follow at the Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Bishop Luers High School, St. John the Baptist (Fort Wayne), St. Vincent DePaul Society, Diocesan Seminarian Fund, or masses.