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LEAVITTSBURG -- William Albert "Bill" Dager, 89, was lost to us on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026.
He was born Dec. 28, 1936, in Leavittsburg, to the late William Abrahim and Elvera DeLoreto Dager.
Bill earned his degree in electrical engineering from Ohio State University, formerly known as Tri-State College, Angola.
Bill began his work life at Bendix Corp., where he worked on the Talos missile. He left Bendix in 1969 and began designing and building industrial lasers and components until retirement. At a time when industrial laser technology was still in its infancy, Bill designed and developed some of the earliest high-power CO2 lasers and envisioned practical applications that were decades ahead of their time. An engineer at heart, Bill combined deep technical insight with an uncommon ability to see how emerging tools could reshape manufacturing.
Beyond engineering, Bill's great passion was golf. He was a longtime member of Barton Hills Country Club and cherished the camaraderie of a close-knit traveling golf group. Together they played many of the world's great courses, with journeys extending as far as Ireland, experiences Bill valued as much for the friendships as for the fairways.
Bill's legacy lives on in the technologies he helped create, the industries he transformed and the friendships he cultivated both on the factory floor and on the golf course.
Bill enjoyed flying box kites and he cherished time spent at the piano with his daughters, Jennifer and Lisa, playing "Chopsticks." He also shared his love of Chopin and Gershwin. Bill possibly was the only person who could sing every Big Ten fight song, word for word. To his grandsons, Spencer and Trevor, Bill was affectionately known as "Jidu."
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Dager Sekela.
Survivors include his loving wife of 65 years, Frances M. Wendl Dager; two daughters, Lisa Dager and Jennifer (Eric) White; two grandsons, Spencer White and Trevor White; and sister, Barbara Dager Kohen.
You were a hero to your family as well as others, offering that silent guidance. You were there for your friends and family. You never asked for anything in return.
"Always Loved ... Never Forgotten."
As Bill requested, there will not be a funeral scheduled at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Riverview Hospital ICU, 395 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN 46060, https://donate.riverview.org/products/DONATE/donate-today; or the American Kidney Fund, https://www.kidneyfund.org/.
Bussell Family Funerals is privileged to assist the family in arrangements.
(special notice)