William "Bill" Edward Hantke

MADISON - Bill Hantke - a man with gentle humor, a generous spirit, and fierce integrity died July 8, 2025, at age 80. He was “Billy” on the farm where he was raised near Edgerton and to his loyal Edgerton High School classmates; “Uncle Bill” to his nieces and nephews and sisters, Alice and Carol; “Brother Bill” to his close-knit Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity brothers; “Hanky-Panky” to his rowdy bachelor-day friends; “Mr. Bill” to the incredible staff at Azura Memory Care in Verona; and “Billy-Babe” to his loving wife of 35 years, Leslie.

He was a man of intense curiosity, so his genealogy hobby was a perfect fit for him. Over the years he generously helped countless people with their own family searches. During his years living in California, he built a successful food and wine packaging machinery sales business. He brought those same skills with him when he and Leslie moved to Madison in 2003. He reconnected with his fraternity brothers and helped lead a successful renovation of the landmark AGR house on campus. He and Leslie loved to travel and he made new friends on each and every trip. With strangers or friends, he was always ready to lend a hand - never caring about getting credit.

The ethics and values he was raised with were a huge part of who he was and sometimes he had difficulty coming to terms with what he saw playing out in our current politics. It pained him deeply. Believing that a lack of confidence by the public in their political leaders could be improved, Bill took leadership action to increase voter turnout by becoming intensely involved in the peaceful efforts of Get Out The Vote, joining others by going door to door in Madison and asking citizens to simply vote.

He loved being outside working on projects that helped enhance the beauty of the UW Arboretum property adjacent to his home. He would often just stop his work to watch a deer peering at him through the trees or listen to the owls hooting in the distance.

Dementia robbed him of more years with us but we will never forget him or the gifts he gave us. Ever the attentive host, he wouldn’t miss a good party so we will celebrate him and his life at a celebration described below. In the meantime, take a walk outside, listen to the birds, make a new friend, quietly help someone in need, and thank the Universe for gracing us with such a dear man. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s honor to the UW Arboretum Land Care Management Fund or to the Alpha Gamma Rho Educational Foundation - Iota Chapter. The family especially acknowledges the compassionate care he received while living at Azura Memory Care in Verona. The staff became part of Bill’s family in so many ways. The staff at UW Hospital, too, were devoted and considerate caretakers.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Leslie Ladd; sisters, Carol (Randy) Christensen (Troy, Mich.) and Alice (Stan) Edwardson (Edgerton, Wis.); nieces, Tracy (Don) Deegan (Edgerton, Wis.) and Laurie (Jeff) Wood (Middleton, Wis.); nephew, Mark (Annette) Christensen (Clawson, Mich.); grand-nephews, Evan, Brennan, and Sam Deegan, Carson and Nolan Wood, Connor Christensen; grand-niece, Joscelyn Christensen; and great-grandnephews, Rory Deegan and Stanley Deegan.  He was preceded in death by his parents Virginia and Paul Hantke of Edgerton.

A celebration of life will be held at BUCK AND HONEY’S, 800 W. Broadway Suite 300, Monona, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave

(608) 831-6761