William "Buzz" Alan Voelker

William Alan "Buzz" Voelker departed from this life on July 10, 2026, at age 64. Bill was born and died in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He lived and worked at locations around the world as an engineer for firms including PeopleSoft and Andersen Consulting. Bill was baptized at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in 1962 and graduated Concordia Lutheran High School in 1980. He is survived by his brother Robert (Sandra) Voelker, step-mother Virginia, nieces, grandnieces, grandnephews, and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Marilyn (nee Koenig) Voelker, and step-mother Delores. Interment planned at Concordia Gardens Cemetery, New Haven, Indiana.

This was the testimony of one of his dear friends, Anna Gray:

"There are people who pass through your life, and then there are people like William 'Buzz' Voelker, who become part of who you are.

Buzz was a deep thinker, a teacher, and someone who never stopped learning. He had this incredible gift for asking the right question, reframing a hard moment, or sharing a story that somehow made everything click. He genuinely celebrated watching people grow, heal, and learn to love themselves. He saw potential in people long before they saw it in themselves.

His curiosity shaped every part of his life. He earned his master’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University and later founded and led Firewater Metal Fabrications in San Francisco, where he poured his creativity into designing and building custom projects. He moved back to Fort Wayne to be closer to his family and started working at Insul-Coustic as their industrial engineer. Whether he was solving an engineering challenge or helping someone untangle life’s bigger questions, Buzz approached everything with patience, imagination, and heart.

He lived simply, loved deeply, and poured his whole soul into the things that mattered to him. Whether he was sharing an Excel formula, talking about living in California or traveling with his brother to Alaska, telling old stories, or wrapping you up in one of his unforgettable hugs, Buzz had a way of making you feel completely seen.

He felt everything deeply. Sometimes that meant carrying more than most people realized. But even in his own struggles, he never stopped showing up for others with kindness, wisdom, and a genuine desire to help others find peace.

Buzz leaves behind more than memories. He leaves behind changed lives. Every one of us who knew him thinks a little deeper, loves a little harder, asks better questions, and sees the world through a wider lens because we knew him.”

There are no services scheduled at this time and cremation will take place upon Buzz’s and the family’s wishes.

To share a memory or to sign the online guestbook, visit www.hessfuneralhome.com or find us on Facebook.

Arrangements and care entrusted to Hess Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Fort Wayne, IN.