William Day

Day, William M. WINDSOR - On Monday, Oct. 22, 2007, the world lost a "gentle" man, William M. Day Jr., age 76, passed away peacefully, at St. Marys Hospital in Madison. Bill was born on March 3, 1931, to William M. Day Sr. and Anita (Poad) Day, in Dodgeville. He grew up on East Johnson Street in Madison. Bill loved Madisons East Side and often spoke fondly of memories and people. He was a 1949 graduate of Madison East High School, where he was a star player on the Purgolders baseball team. Bills love of baseball continued even after he joined the U.S. Army in January 1951. While stationed at Atlanta General Depot, in Atlanta, Ga., Bill, a veteran third baseman of the Madison Lakes Baseball League, won the 1955 individual batting championship of the Atlantic Baseball League with an average of .422. After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1955, he continued playing league baseball for Octopus Car Wash on East Washington Avenue in Madison. Bill enjoyed annual deer hunting expeditions with Ray and fishing trips to Canada with Dean. Years ago, he was also a skilled bowler and bowled in a league, sponsored by Warren Heating. Many times after bowling, the mens and womens teams "celebrated" at Wings Inn on East Washington Avenue. Bill met Phyllis St. John, whom he affectionately called "Phyl", on St. Patricks Day 1972. They were married the following Dec. 16, 1972, in Madison. This December, they would have celebrated 35 years together. Bill and Phyllis enjoyed gambling trips to Las Vegas, Nev., and Greyhound Park in Dubuque, Iowa, where Bill played his favorite game of video poker. Bill was an avid "arm-chair" coach for the Packers, Badgers and Milwaukee Brewers. He loved old military and western movies, and was a Civil War buff. And last, but certainly not least, Bill loved feeding peanuts to "Charlie", his pet squirrel. This "gentle" man had a wonderfully dry sense of humor and his quick wit could easily make anyone laugh. Bill will be truly missed by all those who knew and loved him. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis Day; stepsons, David (Barb) St. John of Cottage Grove, and Gary (Barbara Downs) St. John of Santa Rosa, Calif.; and step-grandchildren, Jeff (Kim) St. John of Frederick, Md., Chelsea St. John of Oxnard, Calif., Lindsey St. John of Minneapolis, Minn., Christi (Patrick Stutz) St. John of Cottage Grove, Matthew (Jackie Jones) St. John of Cottage Grove, Nathan St. John of Cottage Grove and student at UW-Oshkosh, and Claire Bedford of Cottage Grove. Bill is further survived by his daughter-in-law, Susan St. John of Sun Prairie; former wife, Nancy (George) Vogt of Madison; daughter, Debra (Gus) Stafford; grandchildren, Jonathan, Hannah and Genevieve; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy; and sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Tom Schwoeglar. A tribute service honoring Bills life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007. Private burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, with military rites conducted. Visitation will be at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service. Special thanks to Diana and Bob for "holding down the fort" during a difficult time. Bills family would like to especially thank the caring, compassionate and dedicated doctors, nurses and staff at St. Marys Hospital, SICU. A special heartfelt thanks to Kristi, Angie and Holly for providing the warm blankets. Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Centers 5203 Monona Drive (608) 221-5420 ww.gundersonfh.com