MADISON - William J. “Bill” Scherer Jr., age 92, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 12, 2026. Bill was born on July 29, 1934, to William J. and Helen R. (Karnes) Scherer. He was a lifelong resident of Madison.

Bill graduated in 1955 from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf, where he played football and basketball. He was inducted into the WSD Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. It was at WSD that he met the love of his life and future wife, Diana Simon. He frequently visited her family home, while dating, in Springfield Corners before they married on June 18, 1960.

Bill and Diana raised their “three girls” and enjoyed lots of quality time together. That deep connection carried over to their five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. All four generations have many happy memories of time spent together in their homes, holidays, vacations to Mexico and the Caribbean, and especially their annual trip to Door County. Bill and Diana were inseparable until Diana passed away in 2025.

After graduating high school, Bill worked as a printer and linotypist for several major newspapers including the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Sun Times and the Wisconsin State Journal. Bill later joined his father at the family business, Bill’s Key Shop. He would go on to own and operate the shop with his brother until he retired at the age of 82 when the business was sold.

Bill was a wonderful story teller, often adding humor to his stories, a Jack-of-all-trades who could fix almost anything, had a zest for life, was a man of deep faith, and had a strong business mindset. In addition to owning Bill’s Key Shop, he owned and operated Bill’s Orange Juice and Lemonade Stand at events around the State Capitol for 25 years and had a snow plowing business for 30 years. Bill held numerous patents, several relating to his work as a locksmith, and copyright ASL/USA designs for clothing.

Bill was a longtime member of Madison Association of the Deaf. He coached the MAD men’s basketball team in local and regional tournaments for several years, always taking his family on the road with them.

Bill was an avid scuba diver and regularly dove in the Madison lakes, Devils Lake and at shipwrecks around Door County. He enjoyed racquetball, regularly traveling to compete in tournaments well into his 60s, where he was cheered on by his family.

Bill is survived by his daughters, Mary Lynn Rose, Darla Mae Niemuth and Paulette Dupor; grandchildren, Heather (Alex) Psota, Ashley (Tim) Shelton, Michael (Maia) Dupor, Adam (Lexi) Dupor and Emma Dupor; great-grandchildren, Sophie, Olivia, Bradley, Bailey, William and one on the way; nieces Lynn (Jenny) Scott and Michelle Hughes; and in-laws, Elaine Busch and Judella (Paul) Olson. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; in-laws, John and Emma Simon; son-in-law, David Dupor; siblings, Della Faye (Bill) Scott and Edward (Judy) Scherer; niece, Janet Scott; nephews, Billy Scott and Mark Scherer; and in-laws, Magdalen (Roland) Luxton, Lorraine (LaVerne) Hellenbrand, Jack (Dolores) Simon, Mary Ann (Gregory) Dahmen, Emogene (Vern) Frederick, Marland Busch, Donna (Fred) Statz, Stanley (Alice) Simon and Marlene (Arnold) Endres.

A private funeral service will be held. A visitation for family and friends will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, 2026. A private burial will take place at Town of Dunn Burying Ground.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to the staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center American Parkway for their ongoing compassion and care of our Dad. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

William J. "Bill" Scherer Jr.

July 29, 1934 - October 12, 2026

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