MOUNT HOREB - William John "Bill" Steinhauer, age 79, of Middleton, passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Agrace HospiceCare. He was born in Madison on June 16, 1944, to his parents, William and Orpha (Erickson) Steinhauer.

Bill was raised on a dairy farm and showed cattle at his favorite events, 4-H, FFA, and the Dane County Fair, where he met his wife, Martha.

With the support of his FFA mentor, George Johnson, he took the initiative to grow strawberries on the farm. He was the first farmer in the area to have a “pick it yourself” strawberry bed. Although it was hard work, he could earn enough money from his idea to pay for college.

Bill graduated from Mount Horeb High School in 1962 and went to UW-Madison to major in Agriculture. In his final year at UW-Madison, he married Martha on Jan. 29, 1966. After graduating from college in 1967, he served six years in the U.S. Army 44th General Hospital Reserves.

Bill was working at the Belleville State Bank when his father wanted to retire from the farm. It was then Bill decided to go back to farming. Bill bought the farm and continued dairy farming for several years. Then, with his brother’s help, he switched to hog farming.

After a while, Bill obtained his real estate and auction license to work with Lust Auctioneering. He enjoyed meeting people. The lunch wagon was also part of the auction service, which his wife and children staffed.

He worked as a daily bus driver and accepted a transportation director role for Mount Horeb School District. Bill enjoyed being with the kids, and often they referred to him as “King of the Buses.”

William is survived by his wife, Martha (Abrams); brother, Irvin "Irv" (Judy) Steinhauer; sons, Jeff Steinhauer and Jon (Wendy) Steinhauer; daughters, Becky (Kevin) Alexander and Sarah Steinhauer; and grandchildren, Chelsey Steinhauer, Ryan (Tierney) Steinhauer, Clayton Gordon, Allison Gordon, Abby Steinhauer, Kimmy Steinhauer, Henry Alexander and Grant Alexander.

A funeral service will be held at GUNDERSON CAMACHO MOUNT HOREB FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 500 N. Eighth St., Mount Horeb, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 8, 2024, with the Rev. John Twiton presiding. A catered luncheon will follow the service. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, June 7, 2024, and from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb
Funeral & Cremation Care
500 N. Eighth St.
(608) 437-5077

William J. Steinhauer

June 16, 1944 - May 14, 2024

Share photos of William