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.
Sorry to hear this. We were friends and attended MPTI together. Lots of great memories. I will always remember Bill as fun, caring man who always was kind and courteous. Rest well old friend!
Bill was a great guy. I enjoyed delivering his mail for a short time. Please accept my condolences. Joe the mailman
Bill always was so warm and friendly to me. One year, about 1992, I introduced Bill to my wife Lu at the Decorating Store there in West Bend. Lu was impressed with his mild manners and his attention to details. Again in2018 at the 100th birthday celebration for Uncle Clarence Zahringer he was one of few people that took the time to say hello to me. I appreciated that because it is hard to socialize while sitting in a wheelchair.
I know that we will be together again for all eternity praising Our Lord in His Holy Kingdom. His wife Suzanne and their children can be very proud of him!!
So sorry to hear of his passing. Bill and I met in the fall of 1971 at MPTI and shared many great times. In September of 1972, Bill and I moved to Manhattan Beach, CA and enjoyed great times meeting new friends and just hanging out at the beach. He returned to WI in the spring of 1973, but I will always remember his great smile and awesome demeanor. Rest in peace my friend.