William J. "Bill" Battista

MADISON - William Joseph “Bill” Battista, age 76, of Madison, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 5, 2026.  He was born on May 7, 1949, in Norristown, Pa., the son of Joseph and Anita (Petosa) Battista. Bill grew up in King of Prussia, Pa., and graduated from Upper Merion High School in 1967. He graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University in 1971 with an undergraduate degree in Animal Science. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Mary Alice Nasielski, on June 26, 1971. Later that summer, Bill and Alice moved to Madison, Wis., for Bill to pursue a master’s degree in Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin. After completing his degree in 1972, Bill began working for Dairy Herd Improvement Association of Wisconsin and served as the General Manager for over eight years. In 1986 he began working at Fearing Manufacturing/Destron Fearing and worked as Vice President of Sales until his retirement in 2007.

Bill was a passionate and dedicated Wisconsin sports fan, which he instilled in his daughters. He loved hockey and supported his Wisconsin Badgers with his season tickets every Friday night for decades. He cheered on the Green Bay Packers no matter the score and surprised his daughters one year for Christmas with the gift of Packers Ownership Stock - the best gift ever, according to his girls. Above all other teams, Bill was a diehard Milwaukee Brewers fan. He enjoyed season tickets for years and made countless road trips to County Stadium and Miller Park with friends and family.

Bill’s passion for baseball led him to his next chapter after retirement. Having volunteered as a coach and board member for many years with West Madison Little League, Bill was offered the position of Executive Director of WMLL in 2007 which he proudly held until 2017.  He was instrumental in the growth of the youth baseball leagues, the implementation of a girls’ softball program and spearheaded the creation of the Challenger League in 2010.  In the spring of 2018 his contributions to youth baseball were honored with the naming and dedication of the “Bill Battista Major League Field” at the West Madison Little League Complex.  With this field, Bill’s legacy will continue to inspire a love of baseball in generations of young little leaguers.

Bill was a proud member of the Italian Workmen’s Club, West Madison Kiwanis, NFL Alumni Association - Madison Chapter and West Side Swim Club.  For his commitment to the Madison community, he was honored with many awards including The Capital Community Citizen’s Award in 1982, The Kiwanis International Service Fellow Award in 1997, The Little League Baseball Volunteer of the Year Award in 2007, The Madison Area Service Clubs Council Service Award in 2014, The Italian Workmen’s Club Community Service Award in 2017 and was inducted into the Madison Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Alice; his daughters, Amy Brady (Greg), Lori LaFond (Michael) and Beth Battista (Jason Kripps); his grandchildren, Nadia and Derek LaFond and Madilyn and Keaton Kripps; his brother and best friend, Bob Battista (Cindy); sister-in-law, Nora Reynolds (Wayne Parworth); nephews, Brian Battista (Amber) and Michael Battista (Monika); and step-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Peter and Joseph Brady. Bill was also blessed with an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins in Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anita Battista; his wife’s parents, Walter and Mary Nasielski; and his brother-in-law, Tom Reynolds.

Bill was a gracious leader, dedicated friend, devoted husband, proud Poppi and kind soul. He was the best ‘girl dad’ his three daughters could have ever asked for. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

The Battista Family invites all friends and family to a visitation and Memorial Mass at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Visitation will be held in the church gathering space from 10 - 11:30 a.m. with the Memorial Mass immediately following.  Lunch and a celebration of Bill’s life will follow the Mass at the Barnwood Event Center, 3230 Larson Road, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to West Madison Little League Challenger League Fund, Agrace HospiceCare and The Queen of Peace School Endowment Fund.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West

Funeral & Cremation Care

7435 University Ave.

(608) 831-6761