William, age 83, passed away on Wednesday at his home in Madison, where he had lived during retirement in recent years. Bill spent most of his early years in Clintonville, WI, where his father ran a community bank. It was in fourth grade at Clintonville elementary school that Bill met his first wife, Phyllis Schauder, who pre-deceased him in 1985. Upon graduation from Clintonville High School in 1944, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served in the Pacific as one of the youngest commissioned ensigns in U.S. naval history. Upon discharge from the Navy, he matriculated at the University of Wisconsin.
Bill & Phyllis were married in 1948.
After graduation, Bill was accepted into the prestigious General Electric Company training program in Crotonville, NY. His first work assignment was as an internal auditor based in General Electric's then headquarters in Schenectady, NY. In 1958 he was appointed manager of finance for GE's ballast facility in Danville, IL, after which he served in a similar capacity at GE's Wire and Cable Division in Bridgeport, CT, before moving on to GE's new headquarters in Fairfield, CT.
In Fairfield, Bill worked directly with Stan Gault, who later became chairman and CEO of Rubbermaid, and with Larry Bossidy, who later served as CEO of Allied Signal. Ultimately, he reported directly to General Electric's CEO, Jack Welch.
In 1986, Bill married Helen Hartz, another GE executive, and they both retired from the company several years later. Prior to the move to Madison, Bill and Helen spent their retirement years alternating between family residences in Westport, CT, and Sanibel Island, FL. During his business career and in retirement, Bill served in a variety of civic capacities, including the Rotary Club, the Y's Men and various country club boards. Among many notable personal characteristics was Bill's extraordinary, quick-witted sense of humor. He loved sports and celebrated his beloved Green Bay Packers while commiserating with fellow Chicago Cub fans.
In the summer, he planted and tended a vegetable garden, and in the winter he felled trees and chopped his own firewood.
He was an exemplary, loving father. Along with his wife Bill is survived by his sister, two sons and a daughter, four grandchildren, three stepchildren, and seven additional grandchildren; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
Bill & Phyllis were married in 1948.
After graduation, Bill was accepted into the prestigious General Electric Company training program in Crotonville, NY. His first work assignment was as an internal auditor based in General Electric's then headquarters in Schenectady, NY. In 1958 he was appointed manager of finance for GE's ballast facility in Danville, IL, after which he served in a similar capacity at GE's Wire and Cable Division in Bridgeport, CT, before moving on to GE's new headquarters in Fairfield, CT.
In Fairfield, Bill worked directly with Stan Gault, who later became chairman and CEO of Rubbermaid, and with Larry Bossidy, who later served as CEO of Allied Signal. Ultimately, he reported directly to General Electric's CEO, Jack Welch.
In 1986, Bill married Helen Hartz, another GE executive, and they both retired from the company several years later. Prior to the move to Madison, Bill and Helen spent their retirement years alternating between family residences in Westport, CT, and Sanibel Island, FL. During his business career and in retirement, Bill served in a variety of civic capacities, including the Rotary Club, the Y's Men and various country club boards. Among many notable personal characteristics was Bill's extraordinary, quick-witted sense of humor. He loved sports and celebrated his beloved Green Bay Packers while commiserating with fellow Chicago Cub fans.
In the summer, he planted and tended a vegetable garden, and in the winter he felled trees and chopped his own firewood.
He was an exemplary, loving father. Along with his wife Bill is survived by his sister, two sons and a daughter, four grandchildren, three stepchildren, and seven additional grandchildren; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
William, age 83, passed away on Wednesday at his home in Madison, where he had lived during retirement in recent years. Bill spent most of his early years in Clintonville, WI, where his father ran a community bank. It was in fourth grade at Clintonville elementary school that Bill met his first wife, Phyllis Schauder, who pre-deceased him in 1985. Upon graduation from Clintonville High School in 1944, Bill enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served in the Pacific as one of the youngest commissioned ensigns in U.S. naval history. Upon discharge from the Navy, he matriculated at the University of Wisconsin.
Bill & Phyllis were married in 1948.
After graduation, Bill was accepted into the prestigious General Electric Company training program in Crotonville, NY. His first work assignment was as an internal auditor based in General Electric's then headquarters in Schenectady, NY. In 1958 he was appointed manager of finance for GE's ballast facility in Danville, IL, after which he served in a similar capacity at GE's Wire and Cable Division in Bridgeport, CT, before moving on to GE's new headquarters in Fairfield, CT.
In Fairfield, Bill worked directly with Stan Gault, who later became chairman and CEO of Rubbermaid, and with Larry Bossidy, who later served as CEO of Allied Signal. Ultimately, he reported directly to General Electric's CEO, Jack Welch.
In 1986, Bill married Helen Hartz, another GE executive, and they both retired from the company several years later. Prior to the move to Madison, Bill and Helen spent their retirement years alternating between family residences in Westport, CT, and Sanibel Island, FL. During his business career and in retirement, Bill served in a variety of civic capacities, including the Rotary Club, the Y's Men and various country club boards. Among many notable personal characteristics was Bill's extraordinary, quick-witted sense of humor. He loved sports and celebrated his beloved Green Bay Packers while commiserating with fellow Chicago Cub fans.
In the summer, he planted and tended a vegetable garden, and in the winter he felled trees and chopped his own firewood.
He was an exemplary, loving father. Along with his wife Bill is survived by his sister, two sons and a daughter, four grandchildren, three stepchildren, and seven additional grandchildren; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
Bill & Phyllis were married in 1948.
After graduation, Bill was accepted into the prestigious General Electric Company training program in Crotonville, NY. His first work assignment was as an internal auditor based in General Electric's then headquarters in Schenectady, NY. In 1958 he was appointed manager of finance for GE's ballast facility in Danville, IL, after which he served in a similar capacity at GE's Wire and Cable Division in Bridgeport, CT, before moving on to GE's new headquarters in Fairfield, CT.
In Fairfield, Bill worked directly with Stan Gault, who later became chairman and CEO of Rubbermaid, and with Larry Bossidy, who later served as CEO of Allied Signal. Ultimately, he reported directly to General Electric's CEO, Jack Welch.
In 1986, Bill married Helen Hartz, another GE executive, and they both retired from the company several years later. Prior to the move to Madison, Bill and Helen spent their retirement years alternating between family residences in Westport, CT, and Sanibel Island, FL. During his business career and in retirement, Bill served in a variety of civic capacities, including the Rotary Club, the Y's Men and various country club boards. Among many notable personal characteristics was Bill's extraordinary, quick-witted sense of humor. He loved sports and celebrated his beloved Green Bay Packers while commiserating with fellow Chicago Cub fans.
In the summer, he planted and tended a vegetable garden, and in the winter he felled trees and chopped his own firewood.
He was an exemplary, loving father. Along with his wife Bill is survived by his sister, two sons and a daughter, four grandchildren, three stepchildren, and seven additional grandchildren; as well as eight great-grandchildren.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
