William J Rameker
September 21, 1942 - March 15, 2025
Obituary
VERONA - William J. Rameker, age 82, passed away on March 15, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by family. Bill was born September 21, 1942, in Madison, Wis., to Norbert J. and Evelyn M. (McClone) Rameker. He graduated from Monona Grove High School in 1960. Bill attended Iowa State University and graduated in 1965.
Bill served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1969, including a tour in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star and attained the rank of Captain. During his time in the Army, he became interested in law. He graduated from the University of Iowa Law School in 1972.
Bill met Marcia L. Harryman on a blind date at ISU and they were married on June 25, 1966, in Waterloo, Iowa. Together they have three children, Deborah, Matthew and Michael.
Bill was a bankruptcy attorney with Murphy Desmond for 43 years. He also acted as a State Court Receiver and served as a Bankruptcy Trustee and Attorney, having one case go before the U.S. Supreme Court and being decided unanimously in his favor. He was president of Special Olympics of Wisconsin. He was active in Madison Jaycees and Optimist Club, as well as East YMCA, Kennedy Little League, and Badger Basketball Boosters.
He enjoyed traveling with his family throughout the U.S. and Europe and had a special spot for family trips to Hilton Head Island, S.C., and the family cabin. Bill was an avid fan of the Badgers, Brewers, and Packers. Bill loved to watch his grandchildren’s sporting events, and dance and music performances.
Bill is survived by Marcia, his wife of 58 years; daughter, Deborah (Patrick) Shipman; son, Matthew (Melissa) Rameker; son, Michael (Cristine) Rameker; grandchildren, Tucker and Cooper Shipman, Jackson, Vanessa and Evelyn Rameker, and Jacob, Benjamin and Abigail Rameker; brother-in-law, Duane Harryman; sister-in-law, Barbara Fulcher; cousins; nieces; and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brother-in-law, William Fulcher.
Visitation will be held at FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, Wis., from 9:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The service will be held at the church at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at VERONA CEMETERY, 565 N. Main St., Verona, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Organization of Rare Diseases (NORD), Special Olympics of Wisconsin, or the Verona Senior Center. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002