William “Bill” Edward Fitzgerald, 93, of Rochester, passed peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Methodist Hospital, surrounded by family.
Bill was born on March 29, 1932, to Thomas Fitzgerald and Irene (Bevins) Fitzgerald. He grew up in the Preston area in their log cabin. He loved his dog Jimmy and his pony Cookie. He grew up on the family farm and moved to Rochester when he was 10.
He graduated from Lourdes in 1950 and went to work at 7-Up Bottling. He played many instruments and entertained with different bands.
He met the love of his life, Dorothy Sedam, and they were married in 1952 at St. Francis Church in Rochester. They raised six children in the Rochester area. He went to work for IBM in Rochester in 1955, retiring after decades in several different departments. He loved traveling to many places for IBM, especially his trips to New York and Argentina.
He loved music, fishing and cars. We drove through every car lot in Rochester after church every Sunday.
He was a long-time member of the Eagles and Elks, including being exalted ruler. He also traveled many places as officer for the Elks and did years of volunteer work for the vets through the Elks.
He has enjoyed many years of retirement doing gardening, yard work and fishing.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary Chapman, brother Tom Fitzgerald, and one grandson, Marty McGinley.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy, six children: Arlene Smith, Diana Hinrichs, Kathryn Fitzgerald, Rich (Deb) Fitzgerald, Lee (Sally) Fitzgerald and Karen Fitzgerald-Everson; 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and many great-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 4 p.m., with visitation from 3:30-4 p.m., at Rochester Cremation Services, 1605 Civic Center Drive NW, Rochester.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Bill may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com.
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