William F. Waite

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

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.

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

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

With deepest sympathy. Joel and Marie