William H. Mitchell OBITUARY

William H. Mitchell OBITUARY

William H. (Bill) Mitchell (74), a resident of Naperville, Illinois, passed away on April 10, 2026, after a month-long hospitalization brought on by his congestive heart failure. Bill was born on November 16, 1951, and grew up in Deerfield, Illinois, the youngest son of James C. Mitchell and Ruth Lampton Mitchell. Bill said he was shy growing up – preferring to spend his time with a book – but as an adult he was quick with a joke, eager to make new friends, and endlessly curious about the world. Bill graduated from Deerfield High School in 1969 and went on to get two degrees in accounting from the University of Iowa (B.B.A. 1973; M.A. 1975). He worked in public accounting after graduation and was licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. After deciding that accounting wasn’t for him, he moved on to health benefits consulting, first with Northwestern Mutual Life and then with his own firm. Despite these professional accomplishments, Bill never wanted to be defined by his career – he thought that made him boring and he didn’t want to be that. So, what made Bill interesting…. He was intellectually curious. He was always learning (and sharing) new facts. Even during his last hospital stay, he was teaching us about geothermal energy and the history of space exploration. He particularly loved studying history – a love he passed down to Charlie. Much to Nancy’s chagrin, they could often be found discussing exciting topics at dinner like the French Revolution. In travel, he found an outlet that fed his love of history and his curiosity – there wasn’t a monument, a battlefield, a castle, or any historic site with a plaque that he didn’t enjoy. He was also funny, although possibly not as funny as he thought he was. He was a natural with a dad-joke and was proud of his ability to come up with a pun for any occasion. The rise of the internet meme gave him a whole new genre of humor with which to play in his later years. He just always wanted to engage people and make them smile. One of Bill’s doctors in the ICU commented that “Bill is a man with a lot to say,” and, while we don’t know if the doctor meant it as a compliment, we know Bill took it as one. He loved the feeling of community. Bill gave generously of his time and resources to many different causes, but for him, it was the genuine connection that mattered. It was meeting his friends at Starbucks every morning to discuss the issues of the day. It was yelling “Go Hawks” at anyone, anywhere in the world wearing Iowa gear. It was proudly supporting Coach Joe and the North Central College women’s wrestling program. It was driving up to Iowa City every year to see his Hawkeyes compete and stay in touch with the former wrestlers he admired so much. (Oh, did we mention he was a wrestler at the University of Iowa – a fact of which he was very proud.) Most of all, Bill was all about family. He loved being a Mitchell, although he commented more than once that being the fourth of four boys wasn’t a picnic. He adored being an uncle to all 12 of his nieces and nephews – one of his major concerns at the end was making sure he knew where his youngest nephew was going to college. He loved being a husband, viewing marriage as a true partnership. He was the first to tell you that 35 years with Nancy wasn’t always easy (a fact she doesn’t dispute), but it was a ride. He even loved his mother-in-law! Mostly, though, he loved being a dad. Charlie was quite simply his favorite person on earth. Bill probably summed up his view of life and what comes after better than we can in this obituary. He was in hospice, and it was a beautiful spring day outside – sun streaming in and the bird’s chirping outside the window. Nancy was visiting and (for once) was just listening to him while he talked about whatever he wanted to talk about. As she was getting up to leave, Bill smiled and said, “Well, this has been great – I can just go on all these adventures, and my mind can take me to all these wonderful places…” Bill is survived by his wife Nancy Rose Mitchell, his son Charlie Mitchell, his brothers James C. Mitchell, Jr. (Sandra), Steven Mitchell (Suzanne), and Dave Mitchell (Chris), his mother-in-law Mary J. Rose, his sister-in-law Kathryn Murphy Rose and eleven nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents James C. Mitchell and Ruth Lampton Mitchell, his father-in-law Lowell C. Rose, his sister-in-law Cynthia Mitchell, his brothers-in-law David L. Rose and Bryan J. Rose, and his nephew Nicholas Mitchell. Bill’s wish was not to have formal services but to have Nancy and Charlie throw a party next year to celebrate him, so that’s the plan. Memorial contributions to a scholarship fund established in Bill’s name by check to North Central College (in memory of Bill Mitchell), 30 North Brainard Street, Naperville, IL 60540 (Attn: Development Office). Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Naperville, was entrusted with arrangements. For information please call 630/355-0213 or visit www.friedrich-jones.com