FITCHBURG - William “Bill” Louis Unger, age 87, of Fitchburg, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at Azura Memory Care and Assisted Living in Verona. He was born on July 9, 1938, in Milwaukee, the son of Irvin Unger and Lucille (Brenner) Unger.

Bill had a happy (often mischievous!) childhood in Whitefish Bay, and he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He married the love of his life, Margaret “Peg” Perry, on September 23, 1967, in Madison.

William worked as a Project Manager for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Geoscience for nearly 50 years, retiring officially in 2006, but finding many reasons to return to Weeks Hall in the years that followed. His work travels took him to the far reaches of the globe, including trips to Siberia, Antarctica, Kenya, Mexico and South America. He could solve any unforeseen problem that arose, even in those unfamiliar lands, and made friends wherever he went. His boss once said of Bill, “If I were going to be lost somewhere, I’d want it to be with Unger.”

Bill loved exploring the state and the country with his wife, Peg, and always took special note of the unique geologic features of each location. He also enjoyed motorcycling, attending many Moto Guzzi rallies across the country, sometimes accompanied by his son, Matt. He also loved visiting his grandchildren in Minneapolis, where he only rarely revealed his inner (self-described!) curmudgeon.

William is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife, Peg; children, Megan (Michael Sutz) Unger and Matthew (Leslie Sepaniac) Unger; grandchildren, Eliana, Liceis and Miguel; sister, Betty Watson; and brother, Jeffry (Mary Barrineau) Unger. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irvin and Lucille Unger; and brother-in-law, Charles Watson.

The family will hold a celebration of Bill’s life this fall.

Memorials may be made to the Sharon Meinholz Graduate Student Fund in support of the crucial ongoing work done by the Department of Geoscience (https://supportuw.org/giveto/meinholzgraduatefund).

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

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

William L. Unger

July 09, 1938 - June 02, 2026

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