William "Bill" S. Vlies Jr. 91, New Franken, passed away peacefully at a local nursing home on January 28, 2017. Born on April 7, 1925, in Lincoln, Wis., he is the son of the late William H. Sr. and Theresa (Le Cloux) Vlies. On May 9, 1945, he married the former Eleanor Vandervest at St. Louis Church in Dyckesville. Together they lived in Red Banks until they moved to the family farm in New Franken, where he worked for his entire career. William also worked at Feeco International until his retirement in 1981. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and times spent at his cabin in Mountain. William also enjoyed traveling across the United States and Mexico. He cherished times spent fishing with his family, making maple syrup, and picking blackberries.

William is survived by his wife of 71 years, Eleanor; children, James (Sheila) Vlies, Sandy (Jim) Bolander, Frank (Cheryl) Vlies, Barb (Kelly) Zilisch, Dan (Judie) Vlies, Larry (Christy) Vlies, Steve (Kathy) Vlies, Gary (Beth) Vlies, Mary (Mike) Delahaut, Mark (Vickie) Vlies, Diane (Tim) Metzler, Kevin (Kelly) Vlies, and Chris Vlies; 30 grandchildren, Ronald, Craig, Jennifer, Beth Ann, Lynn, Renee, Dave Jr., Angie, Kim, Bob, Adam, Kevin, Candace, Resa, Caitlyn, Nick, Brittney, Sarah, Aaron, Ryan, Amanda, Colleen, Amy, Mark, Kari, Andrea, TJ, Tiffany, Jonathan, Kami; 31 great grandchildren; one brother and sister-in-law, Lloyd (Janice) Vlies; one sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann (John) Thompson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David Vlies; grandson, Gary Vlies; brother, Earl Vlies; and three sisters and brothers-in-law, Esther (Al) LeCloux, Emily (Walter) Bickel, Magdalen (Austin) Johnsen.

Visitation at Malcore (East) Funeral Home, 701 N. Baird St., Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the funeral. Mass of Christian Burial 4:00 p.m. Thursday at SS. Peter and Paul Church, 710 N. Baird St., with the Rev. Anthony Cirignani, OFM officiating. Entombment at Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.