William H Wilker

MADISON- William "Bill" Wilker, died Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015, at home. He was born March 8, 1930, to Dr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Wilker, in Iola, Wis. Bill attended elementary and high school in Iola through his Junior year and finished his Senior year at St. John's Military Academy. He entered UW-Madison at age 17. Two years later, his dad died and Bill started working at Oscar Mayer to put himself through school. He finished school in six years, graduating with a law degree in 1953. Bill had his pilot's license before his driver's license at age 16. His childhood was spent working for local farms learning to plow with horses, milk cows, carry new born calves from the farthest meadow to the barn and sleeping in an unheated attic with only a feather tick comforter. One week before he graduated from law school, Bill met his wife, Jackie Jaquish at Vilas Park Beach. He proposed two weeks later and they were married four months later in October of 1953. Bill's legal career started at a law firm in Waupaca until he was drafted into the Korean War in November of 1953. Two years later he was honorably discharged and started practicing law in Racine for a couple of years and returned to Madison in 1957. At that time, Bill began his tenure with the State of Wisconsin as an assistant attorney general and was exposed to several areas of law, but primarily litigation. In 1973, Bill was appointed as the first Administrator of the Department of Justice Legal Services by former Attorney General Robert Warren. After eight years as administrator, he returned to appellate work within the Department of Justice. Bill was honorable and well respected within the legal community. He had many interests outside of Law. Bill's passion was classical music and opera and he knew the composers immediately upon hearing a few notes. He was an avid swimmer for over 55 years, swimming at least one-half to three-quarters of a mile every day. Bill loved to downhill ski, having started at age 44. He was on the Ski Patrol while his children were young and enjoyed every moment. Bill skied up to the age of 79 and was forced to stop due to his severe back pain. He passed his love of skiing down to his grandsons and always made sure they had the equipment they needed to continue in his tracks. Bill's legacy is his sense of humor. He will always be remembered for his wit and impeccable timing. You could always tell something was coming by the subtle twinkle in his eyes and the ever-so-faint grin his family and friends grew to recognize when he was telling a story or joke. You can't help but smile when you think of his joy in telling the restaurant host that he had a reservation under the name of "Hannibal Lecter." Bill also enjoyed games of Scat, Sheepshead and Bridge. He looked forward to his Wednesday, Thursday and Friday lunch bunch and Wednesday morning breakfast group. He waited eagerly for the Badger and Packer football games and always enjoyed seeing his children and grandchildren and cherished each as being so special. Bill is survived by his wife, of almost 62 years, Jackie. He also leaves behind his four children, Diane Blake, Bill, Joel, and Susanne Bilstad;, sons-in-law, Bob Blake and Brian Bilstad; and eight grandchildren: Michael, Ryan and Kevin Wilker; Grant, Brady and Tanner Bilstad; and Molly and Jordan Blake. He is further survived by his brother, Dr. Richard Wilker and his wife Gail of Creston, Iowa; and his sister, Wanda Wilker of Iowa City, Iowa. His youngest brother Jim died in 1997 and Bill is survived by Jim's wife, Pat Wilker of Madison. He is also survived by children of his siblings. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Brian; his parents; and in-laws, Marion and Jerome Jaquish. Thank you to Meriter Home Health and Agrace HospiceCare, especially Melissa, Jen and Barb, for making it possible for Bill to remain in his home. You are wonderful, professional, and devoted people who became our friends and security. If desired, memorials to honor Bill can be made to Agrace HospiceCare Inc. At Bill's request, a private family celebration of life was held.