William Lee Ira “Bill” Ridenour, 83, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 6:12 am, Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Wellbrooke of Wabash. He was born on January 13, 1943, in Peru, Indiana, to William Lee and Mary Kathryn (Sutton) Ridenour.
Bill graduated from Wabash High School with the Class of 1961. He was employed for many years at General Tire in Wabash, where he dedicated much of his working life before retiring. On November 2, 1990, Bill married Josefa “Josie” Garcia, at the Wabash First United Methodist Church. A man of faith and service, Bill was a devoted member of the Wabash First United Methodist Church and volunteered generously with the Hot Dog Ministry. He was also active in the community as a member of the Moose and Eagles Lodges in Wabash and was a former member of the Wabash Jaycees. Bill found great joy in spending time in his garage, especially while tinkering and restoring his beloved 1936 Ford truck. He was also a proud and lifelong Chicago Cubs fan.
He is survived by his wife, Josefa “Josie” Ridenour of Wabash, five children: Michael (Renee) Ridenour of Wabash, Mary Ann (Brad) Auger of Fishers, Indiana, Cynthia (Steve) Crain of Angola, Indiana, Robert (Cheri) Mendoza and Ruben (Teresa) Mendoza both of Marion, Indiana; grandchildren: Jonathan (Deja) Ridenour of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Blake (Tifani) Ridenour of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Nicholas (Hannah) Ridenour of Markle, Indiana, Gavin Auger and Jayden Auger both of Fishers; seven great-grandchildren, and his brother, Jerry Ridenour of Wabash. He was preceded in death by his parents, and Ramiro Mendoza.
Funeral services will be 12:00 pm, Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Tyler Leland officiating. Friends may call 10:00 -12:00 pm, Saturday, at the funeral home. The family encourages attendees to wear their favorite Chicago Cubs attire. Private burial will be in Friends Cemetery, Wabash at a later date.
Preferred memorials are Wabash First United Methodist Church Hot Dog Ministry or Paradigm Hospice.
The memorial guest book for Bill may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Lee Ira Ridenour, please visit our floral store.