William J. Dewey

MADISON-William Dewey died of cancer on November 27, 2017, at his home in Madison, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Aaberg Dewey, his sister, Sarah Dewey Heiser, and his brother-in-law, Ron Heiser.  His brother, Daniel Gregg Dewey, died on January 4, 2004.  He is also survived by his children: Lisa Lefay and her husband Bruce Benidt, Mark Dewey and his wife Janet Dewey, Sarah Desmond and her husband Michael Desmond, Anne Miller and her husband John Miller; by his grandchildren: Christian Dewey, Olivia Lee and her husband Elisha Lee, Ally Kramer and her husband James Kramer, Kayleigh Desmond, Grace Dewey, and Patrick Desmond; and by his great-grandchildren: Henry Lee and Jackson Lee.He was born on October 8, 1936, at Mankato, Minnesota, to Lauren Dewey and Louise Dewey (nee Just). He graduated from Mankato High School in 1953 and then earned degrees from the University of Minnesota (BS ’57, MS ’59) and the University of Wisconsin (MS’61) in preparation for a career as a research geneticist. He was a passionate student who continued to study genetics and address theoretical questions to the end of his life.  He also studied medicine, genealogy, law, and baseball.  He practiced the art of gardening for many years, and he loved cats, Volvos, and the Chicago Cubs to a fault.  He was a modern-day Renaissance man who once claimed that his ambition was to live in a house beside the road and be a friend to man.  He succeeded in that.The family thanks Agrace HospiceCare, for their consistently excellent, professional, and loving care.Funeral services will be celebrated at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison at 2:00 PM on Thursday, November 30, 2017.Memorials are preferred to the West Wisconsin Land Trust, 500 East Main Street, Menominee, WI 54751. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.