Age 90, a resident of the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 at the home. William, or “Bill’ as he was known, was born Sept. 17, 1924, in Chippewa Falls, the son of Carl William and Lillian Mary (Godfrey) Borneman. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Admiralty Islands as an aircraft mechanic. Bill married Elizabeth “Betty” Zigelhofer in 1947. Bill retired from Cray Research in 1988. Bill had always wanted to become a pilot – that was his dream. Bill received his private pilot’s license in the late 1950’s – early 1960’s. He loved to take time off slow days at work and would sometimes ask co-workers if they would like to take a plane ride. Flying was not only a pastime, but a passion! He was involved with the Civil Air Patrol – a civilian branch of the Air Force. Upon his retirement from Civil Air Patrol in 1994, he reached the rank of Commander of the Chippewa Falls Unit. Bill lost Betty, the love of his life of 63 years, on March 15, 2010. It was then he was diagnosed with dementia and he moved to Wissota (Springs) Place. In 2013 Bill moved to the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls until the time of his death. It was there that the name “The Candy Man” was really associated with Bill. If Bill was not in his room, he would either be around handing out candy or mostly dancing in front of the juke box in the Bistro at the Veteran’s Home. Bill was preceded in death by: his wife, Betty; two sons, Robert Thomas and Donald Paul; two daughters, Marsha Ann and Michele Benschawel; and his parents.
Age 90, a resident of the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 at the home. William, or “Bill’ as he was known, was born Sept. 17, 1924, in Chippewa Falls, the son of Carl William and Lillian Mary (Godfrey) Borneman. He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Admiralty Islands as an aircraft mechanic. Bill married Elizabeth “Betty” Zigelhofer in 1947. Bill retired from Cray Research in 1988. Bill had always wanted to become a pilot – that was his dream. Bill received his private pilot’s license in the late 1950’s – early 1960’s. He loved to take time off slow days at work and would sometimes ask co-workers if they would like to take a plane ride. Flying was not only a pastime, but a passion! He was involved with the Civil Air Patrol – a civilian branch of the Air Force. Upon his retirement from Civil Air Patrol in 1994, he reached the rank of Commander of the Chippewa Falls Unit. Bill lost Betty, the love of his life of 63 years, on March 15, 2010. It was then he was diagnosed with dementia and he moved to Wissota (Springs) Place. In 2013 Bill moved to the Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in Chippewa Falls until the time of his death. It was there that the name “The Candy Man” was really associated with Bill. If Bill was not in his room, he would either be around handing out candy or mostly dancing in front of the juke box in the Bistro at the Veteran’s Home. Bill was preceded in death by: his wife, Betty; two sons, Robert Thomas and Donald Paul; two daughters, Marsha Ann and Michele Benschawel; and his parents.
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