Bill “Zenji” Bedrosian

Bill “Zenji” Bedrosian, age 75, passed away at his home in Brookfield, Wisconsin on September 13, 2025.

Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 1, 1950, to Edward and Wilma (Wells) Bedrosian. At the age of 12, he moved to Malibu, California with his parents, siblings Barb and Chuck, and his grandparents Charles and Hazel Bedrosian. He remained in Malibu until 1982, when he moved to Wisconsin to raise his family. Malibu, however, was always considered “home” and where his heart remained.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and beloved canine companion, Corky.

He is survived by his cherished children, Christoper, Leann, and Megan; his beautiful grandchildren, Bennett and Keira; his loving and devoted partner, Patricia “Pat” Kappel; his sister, Barb (Nancy Osterbauer); brother, Chuck; step-mother, Pat; half-brother, Eddie; and half-sister, Vicky (Thomas) Brown. He is further survived by former spouse and good friend, Sandy (Russell) Weiss; best friend, Amagie Lewis; and other friends and relatives.

Bill was a spiritual man, following the Buddhist and Zen philosophies for many years, especially in the second half of his life. Even his nickname, “Zenji”, was an ode to his beliefs, and it is one that we cherish in his memory.

Bill found great joy in music and had an extensive guitar collection, which he used often to entertain Pat in the evenings. His love and knowledge of music was extraordinarily diverse, ranging from his favorite classical composer, Mozart, to classic rock, with The Eagles and Pink Floyd being amongst his favorites. He could identify a Tchaikovsky symphony just hearing a few bars of the allegro or identify the lead singer of almost any 60’s rock group. He often spent his free time following a symphony score – measure by measure – on his computer or duplicating an Eric Clapton riff on his Les Paul guitar.

His interests and hobbies were as diverse as his musical taste. Bill owned many books on WWII and developed expertise on the Holocaust and the Pacific Front. He also delighted in the intricate and satisfying complexity of crossword puzzles, a pastime he likely picked up from his father.

In his early years in Northern Wisconsin, he loved hunting deer with his late father-in-law. While his hunting days were short-lived, his interest and passion for firearms lasted a lifetime. He became an avid collector and continued to enjoy visits to the shooting range up until his passing.

Bill had a profound passion for the cosmos. All 3 of his children have cherished memories of spending countless hours under the night sky, using his beloved telescopes to showcase the spectacular beauty of the planets and constellations.

Echoing his father’s devotion, Bill deeply relished his Armenian heritage, finding joy in the timeless, strategic ritual of playing Backgammon (Tavli) with his family and friends. He was always happy to teach newcomers the secrets of the game, sharing the wisdom passed down to him while setting up his cherished, handmade Tavli board.

In their early years together, Bill and Pat cultivated a shared joy for the arts, faithfully attending concerts and theater performances. When health complications began preventing him from ambulating those treasured venues, they seamlessly transitioned to televised sports, cheering on their beloved Wisconsin teams – especially the Brewers.

The family extends their deepest love and gratitude to Pat. Her unwavering care and devotion illuminated Bill’s final years with not only comfort, but profound happiness and genuine joy.

Bill possessed a truly unique perspective on life, always ready to brighten a moment with a perfectly timed, quirky, or wonderfully absurd dad joke! His unparalleled humor was a vibrant and infectious gift, bringing joy to everyone he encountered.

These are the indelible memories- the beautiful legacy- we will forever hold and cherish.

The family has chosen to do a private internment. In the spring of 2026, we will honor him with a final journey to California, where we will celebrate his vibrant life and legacy with extended family and friends. His ashes will then be spread, finally resting in the hallowed place his heart always called “home”.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family suggests a donation in his honor to a charity that supports Native Americans, children, or Veterans – such as Native American Rights Fund, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Paralyzed Veterans of America.