Jan. 15, 2019 – West Bend, WI – On Saturday, Jan. 12, 2019 heaven gained another Saint. William “Bill” Anderson died at the age of 69 surrounded by his loving wife Sue and daughters, Angie, and Leslie. Bill had been fighting Medullary thyroid Cancer.
Bill was born in Pontiac Michigan to William and Margaret Anderson October 1st, 1949. When Bill was young his family left Michigan and moved to Wisconsin. He grew up in Wauwatosa. Bill retired from A.O. Smith/Tower Automotive after 33 years of hard work as a steel welder. In his early years he met the love of his life, Sue Ann Mueller. They were married on July 6th,1974 in Wauwatosa and purchased their first home. 3 years later Bill became a father for the first time to a baby girl. They named her Angela. In 1979, Bill moved his little family way up north to a little up and coming town called West Bend. I’m pretty sure it wasn’t even on a map at the time, but housing prices were more economical, Bill was frugal and decided it was best to settle there. In 1980, Bill decided he needed another member of his crew so in September, Leslie was born. Bill knew this would great because he was a motorcycle enthusiast and knew having 2 daughters that wanted to ride motorcycles would make him the coolest dad in Washington county.
Bill had many passions and hobbies that took up a lot of time on top of being the best father and husband a family could ask for. Bill enjoyed travelling almost weekly to his property up north in Wautoma affectionately named “Back Ache Acres.” Bill loved motorcycles. He owned many in his life. Ironically, he never owned a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The only HD he ever owned was his beloved 1968 HD golf cart. It was truly a labor of love and with that came a lot of swearing when maintaining it. Bill was an accomplished story teller and comedian. Bill always could make a joke to lighten the mood of any occasion he attended. Bill always had the most colorful stories of his childhood. Bill had a slew of one liners. A few of his most popular were:
- Close the front door you’re heating/cooling West Bend
- Sometimes it takes people a little bit longer
- Nothing ever falls up
- That guy looks like he died but forgot to lay down
- Someday I will do something nice for you. (in reference to the kids doing any chores for him)
Bill is survived by his wonderful wife, Sue of 44 glorious years and his independent, tough is as nails daughters Angie and Leslie. Other members of Bill’s crew that he leaves behind are his extended family members including his favorite sister-in-law Mary, favorite brother-in-law Mike, future son-in-law Matt Sepersky, grandchildren Harper, Hunter, Zoe, Lyn, and Ava. Bill leaves behind many wonderful neighborhood sidekicks including The Berndt’s, The Schoenhaar’s, The Schmitz, Harold Justman, The Matenaer’s, Judy Fitz, and The Akerman’s. All of which seem to compete when blizzards would strike. Who’s gonna get their machine fired up first! Bill leaves behind his two sisters Chris Anderson and Karen Anderson, nieces Samantha and Dawn, and nephew Ben. Bill also leaves behind many friends from his lifetime. He will truly be missed.
Visitation will be from 12:30pm-2:15 pm at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception in West Bend WI on Saturday January 19th, 2019. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2:30 PM at St. Mary’s Immaculate conception in West Bend WI. 406 Jefferson Street West Bend WI.