June 19, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – William “Bill” John Hemauer, 74, of West Bend, Wi, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of June 18, 2026.
Bill was born on August 15, 1951, in West Bend, the son of the late Alfred and Anita (Zahringer) Hemauer. On January 18, 1975, he was united in marriage to Suzanne, beginning a loving partnership that would last more than 50 years.
In 1981, he bought Hemauer Decorating. For decades he ran the store with a quiet generosity his customers came to depend on, and he treated everyone who walked through the door like family.
Golf was one of the great joys of Bill’s life. He loved the game and the people he shared it with. Later in life, biking became a passion, and for many years he rode daily. Bill had a deep love of music and a soft spot for his little Miata convertible.
Those who knew Bill remember a decent, soft-spoken man who never needed to be the center of attention. He loved his wife, his children, and his grandchildren without reservation, and he left this life as gracefully as he lived it.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Suzanne (Heldt) Hemauer; his children, Robert (Mel Trudeau), Mark (Elissa), and Kathleen (David); his cherished grandchildren, Henry, Ramona, and Hazel; his brothers and sister, Kenneth (Rosann), Richard (Meg), Thomas, Alan (Carole), John (Jodie), and Jane (Richard) LaBuda; his brother-in-law, Robert (Mary Lou) Heldt; and many loved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Anita; his brother, Donald (Gloria); his nephews, Christopher and Brian; his mother-in-law, Marion Heldt; his father-in-law, Robert Heldt; his sister-in-law, Kathryn Porod; and his brother-in-law, Stanley Porod.
Bill was a great husband, father, and friend. He will be deeply and lovingly missed.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, June 24, at Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend. The family will receive visitors starting at 11 a.m., with a short service at 1 p.m. immediately followed by a reception.
Messages for the family may be left in an online guestbook at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.
