William G Draxler

DRAXLER, WILLIAM G. MADISON- William G. Draxler, age 83, of Madison, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Agrace HospiceCare, with his family by his side. He was born on March 11, 1930, in Goodman, Wis., the son of John and Stella Draxler. He married Mary Jo Krech in Richfield, Minn., on December 27, 1958. Bill attended St. Lawrence Seminary where he received an AA in Liberal Arts. At St. Lawrence, he banded birds and acquired a love of bird watching. He joined the U.S. Army in 1952 when he volunteered for the draft. Bill was later transferred to the U.S. Air Force and sent to France where they were building an airstrip. After his military service, Bill returned to Goodman and worked for the railroad and the lumber company. In 1957, he decided to go back to school and attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., where he received a BS in Biology with a minor in Education. After graduation, Bill and Mary Jo moved to Montana and Bill taught science at Stevensville and Corvallis. While living there, Bill received a MS in Science Education from the University of Montana. In 1963, he moved to Madison and began a 28 year teaching and counseling career at Robert M. LaFollette High School. During his years at LaFollette, he was Science Department Chairman, North Central Evaluation Chairman, and M.T.I. President. Bill's love of learning led him to continue his education throughout his career. He received a second MS in Guidance Counseling from UW- Whitewater. He also did coursework at the University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and UW-Madison. Bill was active at St. Dennis Catholic Church in R.C.I.A. adult education, bible study, and youth faith formation. Some of his favorite and memorable times were Boy Scout outings; especially summer camp and high adventure canoe camping. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jo; his son, Paul (Paula); his daughter, Julie (Thomas) Meditz; grandchildren, Rory, Lindsay, Jonathan, Zachary, Nicole; great-grandson, Nixon; sisters, Fran Hinkley and Rena (Kenneth) Rutlin; sisters-in-law, Joan Draxler and Joan Flannery; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, John August Draxler and Bernadette Mildred (Millette) Draxler; and brothers John Draxler and Vernon Draxler. Funeral services will be held at ST. DENNIS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 505 Dempsey Road, Madison, at 11 a.m., on Friday Mar. 7, 2014, officiated by Father Randy Timmerman. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park at a later date. Memorials may be made to St. Dennis Catholic Church or the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Agrace HospiceCare and Heritage Monona. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420