William F. Waite
March 29, 1928 - August 02, 2021
Obituary
MADISON - William F. "Bill" Waite, age 93, a longtime Monona resident, passed away on Monday, Aug, 2, 2021, at the Arbors at Oak Park Place. He was born on March 29, 1928, in Milwaukee, the son of William and Ruth (Moore) Waite.
Bill graduated from Washington High School in 1946 and later received his bachelor’s degree from Marquette University. After joining the Marine Reserves while in college, he was called to active service in June 1951 and served in the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1953.
Bill married Gloria Podges on Oct. 24, 1953, in Milwaukee. He sold building products for Johns-Manville for most of his career and was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church for over 50 years. Bill cherished spending time with his family and friends. He was an avid golfer and followed Badgers sports and Marquette basketball enthusiastically.
Bill is survived by his wife, Gloria, of 68 years; daughters, Lisa Waite and Nancy (John) Arevalo; sons, Pete (Carrie) Waite and John (Kathy) Waite; grandchildren, Ryan (Carissa) Waite, Eric (Katie) Waite, Ruth (Jonathan) Gonzalez, Ellyn (Luke) Steidl, Joe (Megan) Arevalo, Meredith, Arevalo, Tyler (Amy) Waite, Trevor (Raegan) Waite and Tanner Waite; and seven great-grandchildren plus one on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Carole Waite.
A memorial service will be held at ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 4011 Major Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. Visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Badger Honor Flight, or a charity of your choice. A special thank you to Dr. Albert Musa, Nurse Tama and everyone at Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420
Events
Visitation
Sat Aug 28, 2021 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
St. Luke's Episcopal Church • 4011 Major Ave, Madison, WI 53716
Memorial Service
Sat Aug 28, 2021 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
St. Luke's Episcopal Church • 4011 Major Ave, Madison, WI 53716
Military Honors
Sat Aug 28, 2021 @ 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM CDT
St. Luke's Episcopal Church • 4011 Major Ave, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of William have been shared yet.
Memories
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David Schneider
Other •
It went "round the moon, round the moon, somebody poke..." And then we would choose who was "it" and scatter around the neighborhood, trying to get back to that huge mulberry tree in Bill's and Gloria's front yard before getting tagged. Then there was the elm in their backyard where Pete and I and Kevin built the ugliest (but really cool) tree fort you could imagine. After playing in that eyesore for years, we turned it into a go-cart, utterly defacing the hill of grass between our place and theirs. Through it all, Bill and Gloria let us kids be kids. Model parents-whatever those are. It is hard for me to separate Bill from Gloria. 68 years. Husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather. That's how I saw him...The guy that came up the driveway to his family every night after work. We kids would be out on the hill playing football or maybe down at the end of the street at the basketball hoop or maybe out riding our bikes, and we would hear "Peeeeeeter."...time for dinner. Norman Rockwell couldn't have painted it any better. Thank you Bill. David Schneider
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Tammi Alexander, Badger Honor Flight
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The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, William Waite. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on April 25, 2015.
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Timothy Tyson
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When I first began attending St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Bill and Gloria were my shepherds to help me feel welcome at St. Luke’s. You couldn’t find a more congenial, attentive and loving couple anywhere. The kindness they showed was a big reason my and then my wife’s experience attending St. Luke’s was so memorable and satisfying (years later we moved out of state). Bill did so much for everyone and as an individual he always made me feel special and was sincerely interested in what was on my mind. I feel blessed to have had a friend like Bill. Tim and Terry Tyson
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David and Randi Thorson
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We have known Bill and Gloria for 35 years. They were our "Shepherds" at St. Luke's Episcopal Church when we joined. That meant that they took our family under their wings, which they basically did forever, and they certainly did a super job as Shepherds, as we stayed at St. Luke's! Bill and Dave liked to talk sports, and Bill was a very good golfer. Gloria was our daughter Julia's Godmother, which also meant she got Bill as her church friend as well. Bill was a generous, kind soul with a wonderful calm personality. He had a good sense of humor, and he volunteered in practically every aspect of church. Bill and Gloria never forgot us, and we will never forget our friend Bill or Gloria, of course. Peace, Love, and Good Memories from David and Randi Thorson and Family
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Tribute Store
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With deepest sympathy. Joel and Marie
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Joy McClain
Other •
Bill was a cherished member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church. Between him and Gloria they volunteered or led many ministries at St Lukes. Bill loved the Badgers and often wore Badger clothing to church. I think the last time we saw Bill and Gloria was at the Old Town Cafe in Cottage Grove. We decided to meet there for breakfast and we could have talked for hours. Years ago we were at their house for a church meeting and I sat in the kitchen with Bill and he told me all about their wonderful trip to Normandy. RIP Bill, Joy & Don McClain