MADISON - William Edwin “Bill” Brendler passed away on June 17, 2025, in Madison. He was born on June 14, 1937, in Madison, the son of Edwin and Gladys (Haney) Brendler.

Bill graduated from East High School in Madison in 1955 and attended UW-Madison. He was united in marriage to Doris Rae (Roth) Brendler on July 20, 1956, in Madison. He worked for Coca Cola as a driver in high school during the summers and began working for the State of Wisconsin, Department of Transportation as a draftsman in 1957. He held numerous positions with the state including CAD operator and IT computer support, prior to his retirement in 1999. He was a member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society and The Dean House. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Blooming Grove early in his marriage.

Bill had a very analytical mind and loved to tinker with anything mechanical or computer related. He built computers and maintained them for his kids, neighbors and church and was affectionately known as the “Computer Fairy” by his children. He enjoyed making signs with his vinyl cutter for St. Stephens, the American Legion, The Dean House and countless others.

Throughout his life, Bill enjoyed working on cars, or really anything that ran - cars, boats, lawnmowers, snowblowers, clocks, appliances, etc. If he couldn’t fix it, then it couldn’t be fixed. He loved boating and camping in the summer, bowling in the fall and winter, playing cards with friends and family, getting together with the extended family and grilling out, and traveling near and far. Bill had a long-standing weekly coffee date with friends at the Java Cat Coffee House.

Bill sang baritone in the church choir and served many roles from reader to usher to IT guy for his churches. He worked with his brothers-in-law in construction, which gave him the experience and knowledge to remodel his own home, including building a large deck. He owned a small printing press and business for many years and printed many of the bulletins and service literature for his church.

Bill was honest and faithful, and a devoted husband, father and friend. He was famous for his great big bear hugs and was affectionately known as “Mr. B” to all his children’s friends. He was everyone’s dad.

Bill will be dearly missed by his wife, Doris; children, Mark (Kathy), Karla (Mandi), Sue (Jeff), Tony (Nora) and Heide (Thom); grandchildren, Benjamin, Joshua (Sarah), Donovan (Kylie), Lucas (Amelia), Shelby, Sydney (Josh), Jordan and Madison; and great-granddaughter, Olive. He was preceded in death by his parents; and infant daughter, Karn Sue.

A memorial service will be held at ST. STEPHENS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5700 Pheasant Hill Road, Monona, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, with Pastor Elisa Brandt presiding. A luncheon will be held at the church, with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to Historic Blooming Grove Historical Society or St. Stephens Food Pantry. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

William Brendler

June 14, 1937 - June 17, 2025

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