William James "Butch" Foelker

MADISON-William James “Butch” Foelker, age 70, of Madison, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at Agrace HospiceCare.  He was born on Feb. 19, 1947, in Milwaukee, the son of John and Ann Foelker.  Butch graduated from Reedsburg High School.  He married Marilyn Woolever on Aug. 15, 1970, in Reedsburg.  Butch enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 19.  He went to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he also played football. He then served two tours in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as several years in Rome, Italy working with the OSI and completed his enlistment at Billy Mitchell Field in Milwaukee.  Butch moved to Madison and attended MATC, obtaining degrees in Electrical Engineering, Real Estate and Marketing.  During this time he joined the U.S. Army Reserve, Troop E 4th Calvary, 84th Division obtaining the rank of E7. He was the senior tank commander, training troops at both Fort McCoy and Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Butch received the Army Achievement Award, Purple Heart and numerous other accommodations.  He retired from the U.S. Postal Service in April of 2017, where he was a mail carrier for over 30 years.  Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching and playing all sports, and listening to the Brewers on the radio.  He played softball for the Copper Grid for many years, making lifelong friends.  Butch loved spending time with his family and friends, and would help anyone in need.  His best friend was his dog, Jack, and the light of his life was his daughter, Meghan.  Butch is survived by his daughter, Meghan; ex-wife, Marilyn “Honey Bunch”; sisters, Sandra Lewis and Valeria Pearce; exceptional nephew, Sean Pinten; "brother", Sam Weiss; and many other nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents; foster parents, Jack and Marie Borchardt; step-mother, Virginia Foelker; brother, John Foelker; and sisters, Barbara Williams and Mary Suber.  A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 1 p.m. until time of military rites at 3 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Agrace HospiceCare or Disabled American Veterans.