William J. “Bill” Joyce, age 68, of Friendship, Wisconsin passed away Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin.
Memorial services will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 20, 2015 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Rev. John K. Stake will officiate. Interment will be at the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, Friendship, Wisconsin. Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. until the time of service on Friday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home. Military honors will be presented by the State of Wisconsin Military Funeral Honors Program and the Adams County Honor Guard.
Bill was born May 20, 1947 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to James G. and Beatrice (Sharp) Joyce.
He graduated from Adams-Friendship High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy in 1965. Once he graduated from corpsmen’s school he went over to Europe for six months. After this he was deployed to Vietnam. During this time there was a shortage of corpsman which he was then assigned to the Marines. While serving in Vietnam, Bill was wounded and later honorably discharged. Bill was awarded a purple heart for his injuries and spent a long time recovering at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital in IL.
After the war Bill married Diane Schmid in September of 1971. From this marriage two children were born. Michelle Marie and James Richard. This marriage ended in divorce August of 1976.
He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially with his grandchildren. Bill was incredibly talented when it came to wood working. Wood working was a lifelong passion of his. He spent many hours working in his workshop with his longtime friend, George, and many other friends that would just “pop in” to see what he was working on next. Bill also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping.
Bill had a passion for Adams County’s history. He was instrumental in helping preserve the counties history especially when it came to the Indian burial mounds.
Bill was a member of the Adams County Jaycee’s during the 1980’s. More recently he was also a member of the American Legion Post 65.
Bill was a generous, kind-hearted man that will always be remembered as the type of man that would do anything for anyone. As a very close friend of the family stated, Bill had a “relentless enthusiasm for life.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, James & Beatrice Joyce; brother, Thomas Joyce; niece, Jamie Joyce and brother- in- law, Dennis Connell.
Survivors:
Daughter: Michelle (Eric) Harrison of Friendship, Wisconsin
Son: James Joyce (Kristine Kettleson) of Lake Delton, Wisconsin
Grandson: Tristian Harrison of Friendship, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Abby Harrison of Friendship, Wisconsin
Sister: Peggy Connell of Nekoosa, Wisconsin
Niece: Erin (Karl Reinke) Connell of Port Edwards, Wisconsin
Niece: Rachel Joyce of Camden, Maine
Further survived by many cousins and countless friends.
Peggy, Erin, Michelle & Jim
Sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I knew him mostly from the Ski Hill in Friendship.
Prayers for all at this tragic time.
Our sincere condolences to Bill’s family . so sorry . God Bless you during this difficult time.
Sad to here about “Bill” my friend…. I enjoyed talking to him about the past, the history, and how we were going solve the present
problems. I always felt great in heart when I left after our talk and all the fun we had…………..watch over us all, until we meet again… God Bless.
Condolences to all of Bill’s family. Our family knew Bill and his Mom way back in the 70’s. We shared other friends, so we would all get together now and again. I have fond memories of Bill always being a happy and laughing person. I am so truly sorry for your loss.
Rest in Peace Bill and Thank You for your service to our country.
Peace, prayers and blessings
Michelle and Jimmy, my sincere condolences on the passing of your dad. It was always apparent that Bill was a loving grandfather and father, and that he was very much loved in return by his family. My memories of Bill are filled with smiles, good stories and laughter. A wonderful man who will be remembered and missed. So sorry for your loss.
Peggy, Michelle, Jimmy, and Erin; I will always remember Bill taking me fishing on Friendship Pond when I was a little boy. Bill was fun-loving and he always seemed to enjoy playing with us little kids. He made each of us feel like we were his special friends. Growing up, I revered him as my “cool big cousin.” My condolences to you.
I am so sorry on the error of the name, meant Bill Joyce. We still send our condolences for Bill’s family. So sorry to hear of his passing.
A shock for us to read in the paper of Jim’s passing. Our deepest condolences go out to all of Jim’s family at your time of loss. Cherish the memories that all of you had with him.
Though I am thousands of miles away my thoughts, prayers, and condolences are just a phone call, an email, or a letter away. I remember him, I loved him, and I too grieve with all of you.
Michelle, Jimmy and family, I was saddened to hear of Bill’s passing, he was such a great friend to Jim and I. I never knew what trouble those two were going to get into. We loved him so much, he will be sadly missed. I know there are no words that can comfort you at this time, but I pray that God wrap his loving arms around you all and give you some comfort. My prayers are with you.
Jim and Family;
I am sorry to hear of the passing. I pray that the good Lord softens the loss for you and your family. As a former Viet Nam Navy/Marine Corpsman like him, I salute him and say God’s speed, Semper Fi and rest in peace. You have earned it.
We lost a great classmate, may he Rest In Peace, he will be missed by many.
He truly was a good man and friend. I am sorry to hear of his passing. I knew his health was not good for many years. May he rest now. Condolences to your family.
While I was on active duty as a U.S. Marine, Bill was assigned to my platoon as our Corpsman. Not only did he take care of us but he became one of my best friends. I am very saddened by his passing and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. R.I.P. “Doc Joyce”. Taps.
Sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He was a fellow classmate. My thoughts and prayers are w/the family.
Peggy and family so sorry for your loss. You all have our deepest condolences. RIP Bill.
Michelle, Jimmy, Peggy &Erin bill was a great guy he will be missed by all my prayers & thoughts are with you all
We have lost a classmate, friend, and fellow Marine. (U.S.NAVY). My thoughts and prayers to the family. SEMPER FI!!!
You may rest peacefully now! Prayers and condolences to the entire family.
My deepest sympathy to Bill’s entire family. I’ve kept in touch with him through my brother George, because many times when I would call him on the weekends, he was usually out at Bill’s doing some woodworking with him. He put up a struggle for so many years after his severe injuries in Vietnam. I hope he is now at peace… RIP Bill. ??
So sorry to hear about your Dad, my deepest sympathy to all of you.
I am so sorry for your loss. Bill was such a wonderful man and will be deeply missed by his family and friends. I fondly remember him from my childhood. He was always fun to be with and full of tricks. My thoughts are with you Peggy, Erin, Jimmy and Michelle.
Our Deepest Sympathy to family and friends. Bill was a hero in many ways R.I.P. and now you are pain free.
Peggy, Erin, Michelle and Jim,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Bill was a great father, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He will be missed by many. I have nothing but great memories. Bill always had time for everyone. He made us all feel special!
Peg So sorry to read about Bill ,we had some good times back in the day. He will be missed. I will be out of town. Our prayers be with you and may he rest in peace. GO NAVY!
Thinking of you during this hard time. God’s comfort~
Peggy so sorry for your families loss.
Bill was a great asset in keeping the historical aspect of Adams County alive! We worked many times together on projects over the years. My sympathy to you all during this difficult time.
Peggy, so sorry to hear about Bill….I feel your sorrow. You are in my prayers.
Thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time.
Sorry on your loss. MAY God family and friends comfort you during this difficult time
Jimmy & Michelle. Sorry to hear about your dad. Our thoughts & prayers are with you and your family.
Michelle and Jimmy,So sorry to hear about Bill.He was a true friend and will be missed by many.