William "Bill" Jess Mulvaney, 59, longtime resident of Rochester, passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Bill was the guy next door who had a good heart and was loved by everyone.
He was born on September 10, 1966 in Evanston, Illinois and the family moved to Rochester in 1969 when his parents, Norene and Bill, were awarded the local Ford franchise. An almost unfathomable experience each fall was when the new model year cars would be delivered to the family’s back yard in October, prior to their release. During grade school years Bill and Mary would ride their bicycles to Riddle Elementary, City Park, and the Rochester Pool. And of course, there were the years at the Dairy Queen and Sunshine Laundromat.
Bill enjoyed many outdoor activities, including sand volleyball and softball league at the park, hunting waterfowl and fishing, both in the summer and through the ice. Bill loved mowing the lawn and playing golf with his son Tyler. He spent many hours on the pier, playing fetch with Wrigley. Mostly, Bill loved hanging out with his friends. He was a people person.
He was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs and Notre Dame football. Many of us have shared the ups and downs of those loves.
He worked for Rochester Homes and Rochester Glass, and in recent years tended to boats and lifts for his own business, B&D Boats. He made friends, and they became family.
Bill had a long-term relationship with Denise (DeDe) Sisinger and he is survived by her, his sister, Mary Mulvaney (Bryan Keller), daughter, Alexandria Ann, step-daughter, Morgan Sue, and nieces, AnneMarie Hope, Christina Norene, and Theresa Eileen, all of whom love and miss him very much. He was preceded in death by his parents in 2004 and 2010 and his son, Tyler Jess in 2016.
A Memorial Mass will be said at 4:00 on Monday, September 22, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Rochester Moose Lodge from 5:00 - 7:00 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Youth Outlet Center of Rochester, (www.theoutletyouthcenter.org.)
Arrangements by Zimmerman Bros. Funeral Home, Rochester, Indiana. Online condolences may be expressed at www.zimmermanbrosfh.com
