William Henry "Bill" Wille
October 14, 1952 - March 09, 2020
Obituary
BLACK EARTH - William Henry “Bill” Wille passed away Monday March 9, 2020, in his home after living several years with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
Bill was born Oct. 14, 1952, in Madison, Wisconsin to Henry and Alice (Pfister) Wille. He is survived by his spouse of 48 years, Jan; and children, Kathy (Joe) Virnig, Karen (Greg) Aulwes Deuschle and Jake (Tricia) Wille. He is also survived by grandchildren, John and Mark Virnig, Elizabeth Deuschle and Audrey and Lacey Wille; sister-in-law, Linda Wille; brother-in-law, Duane Ott; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marland; and sister, Geraldine.
Bill graduated from Wisconsin Heights High School in 1970 and started working on the family farm after graduation. An avid outdoorsman, he could often be found hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and motorcycling. He taught snowmobile safety for more than 20 years, served on the board of the Berry Roxbury Insurance, and was a supervisor for the Town of Berry. He retired from farming in 2001 but stayed active working at Final Touch Sod farm and DH Repair.
A funeral service will be held at ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5435 Scherbel Road, Black Earth, on Friday, March 13, 2020, at 11 a.m. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON CAMACHO FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 1710 Center Street, Black Earth, on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Hupp’s office and Agrace Hospice Care for their attention and care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s memory to Wisconsin Heights FFA, where Bill enjoyed helped shaping future farmers, or CurePSP.
We bid a fond farewell to Bill as he leaves for his final ride. May there be smooth trails, cool breezes, clear skies and open roads on your journey.
Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson Camacho Black Earth
Funeral & Cremation Care
1710 Center Street
(608) 767-3684
Events
Visitation
Thu Mar 12, 2020 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Camacho Funeral and Cremation Care • 1710 Center Street, Black Earth, WI 53515
Service
Fri Mar 13, 2020 @ 11:00 AM CDT
St. John Lutheran Church (Berry) • 5434 Scherbel Rd., Black Earth, WI 53515
Photos
Memories
MM
Mike McDonald
Other •
To Jan, Kathy, Karen, and Jake,
I'm so sorry for your loss. Prayers for peace and comfort for you during this time.
I spent summers from 1981-1984 working with your family on the farm helping out Bill. I have great memories of helping with all sorts of chores with Bill and all of the rest of the family, meal times, baling hay, fighting the rats as they dropped out while getting corn out of the bin, trying to chase the mean bull out of the yard, and rebuilding the workshop after the 1984 tornado. Bill taught me a lot and certainly overlooked some pretty dumb screw ups on my part over the years I was there. His laugh was infectious and he was a hard worker and a good man. One of the memories I have, I've told many times over the past 35 years. After we rebuilt the workshop, Bill and Jan went on a trip and my only job was to milk the cows in the morning and evening. But, I didn't want to sit around so I thought I would "organize" the shop, since all the tools were just piled on top of the workbench. Certainly, Bill would be glad to have all the wrenches in one area, sockets in another, pliers in another, etc. What I did not know was that he had those piles already sorted just the way he wanted. The tools for this tractor were here and that piece of equipment were there, etc. He was so upset and claimed that he couldn't find any tool that he needed for the next several months.
I think fondly of those times on the farm with you all.
Love and prayers for you all.
Mike McDonald
T8
Troop 87
Other •
October of 2016 the Cross Plains Boy Scout Troop headed to the Harley museum to work on the Engineering Merit Badge. We all know that Bill would never pass up the chance to spend the day with his grandsons surrounded by all that Harley memorabilia. Bill shared so much with the Scouts about the motorcycles he'd ridden and worked on. His presence made the trip that much more memorable. Bill and Jan never missed a Scout brat sale or pancake breakfast as well as attending milestone events of John's and Mark's journey through Scouting from Tiger Cubs to Eagle Scouts and Jan even made Troop 87's distinctive neckerchiefs. Bill and Jan are as much a part of the Boy Scout family as Joe & Kathy and John & Mark..
The adults and youth of BSA Troop 87 wish to extend our deepest sympathy to family. We will keep you all in thoughts and prayers.
CO
Carla Ott-Oldre
Other •
My brother told me the plan was to have Bill and Me stand up together for his wedding to Gerry. But I was very tall at 12 and Bill was only 7 so new partners had to be found. But I remember enjoying my time playing with Bill when we were kids, and I always enjoyed our visits at family events. He was a sweet soul, and always greeted us with a smile. Carla Ott-Oldre
J
Joanne
Other •
Sending love cuz's. So sorry ♡
BT
Barbara Taylor
Other •
Dear Jan and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. William meant a lot to me. It was only later in life, that I found out he was my cousin. Dad used to spend his summers on the Wille farm, so it was only natural that when he had a family that we would also go there. We were taught to call him William, not Billie, as most young kids were called, I never thought that strange until I got older. We would play on the playground on the top of hill. I sat and watched William skin rabbits once, a city girl was not into that. But, William was fun to be around, even tho he would try to scare me with his outrageous "skills". As a child William lead me into the chicken pen, so I could catch a chicken. That was fine, until they got into the corne, turned around and came after me. Last time I saw William, he showed me around his new house, had me look down stairs and proudly told me he had shot those deer on the wall. Jan and family, he Will be missed. Thank you for sharing. Barbara Dosie Taylor
SB
Steve and Nancy Books
Other •
Dear Jan and the whole family,
Nancy and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to you. Bill was a wonderful and unique neighbor . He had a special sense of humor and an incredibly friendly way of being. He was always thoughtful, kind and welcoming to us and loved to kid our grandkids with a wink in his eye. We will always hold him in our hearts as a fellow who was comfortable in his own skin and amazing beard . At the end of the day there was nothing he would not do for a neighbor, just as a generous friend and farmer would always do. It was a joy to share a beer with, Bill. He was a special man and we are so thankful for having had the chance to know him.
We will miss him always -- Steve and Nancy Books