Harry “Bill” William McNeely of Shelbyville, passed away on April 10, 2026.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon, his children Patrick (Yvette) McNeely and Jessica (Chad) Cooper, and grandchildren, Kaitlin, Alyssa, Addison, and William.
Called Billy as a child, he was born August 7, 1943 in Bloomington, IN to Phellus “Bill” and Harry McNeely. He grew up in Beech Grove, and played football, baseball, and basketball in school. After getting hurt playing football his senior year of high school, he took up swimming and acting in the school play. He graduated Salutatorian of Beech Grove High School in 1962.
Bill went on to study Engineering at Purdue University where he did four years of Air Force ROTC and competed on the swim team. He spent his summers as a camp counselor at Flat Rock YMCA camp.
After school he went to the police academy and was a deputy sheriff in Indianapolis and Fort Lauderdale, FL. After retiring from the police he ran a security firm, then became a landlord, and eventually his favorite job was hobby farmer and horse enthusiast. Saddlebred, Arabian, as well as a goat and several cantankerous Shetland ponies and so many dogs all had amazing lives at his beloved Twelve Oaks Farm in Fairland, IN.
Bill was a 50 year Master Mason and member of the Shelby County Shrine Club and member of the Murat Shrine where he spent many happy summers participating in parades with the Murat Veteran Car Club. He was an enthusiastic Martial Arts practitioner and taught karate at the local Boys and Girls Club.
Bill loved to dance and was happiest when turning Sharon around the dance floor.
