William B. Bandt, age 94, of Appleton, Wisconsin passed away Friday, February 24, 2017 at Brewster Village in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Pastor Sam Downey will officiate. Interment with military honors, will be at the Mt. Repose Cemetery, Friendship, Wisconsin. Visitation will be Noon until the time of service on
Saturday at Roseberry’s Funeral Home.
Bill, (better known as Willy), was born the 4th of 12 children on August 5, 1922 in the Township of Richfield, Adams County, to Henry and Adella (Maynard) Bandt.
He attended Pilot Knob Grade School, and helped his father on the farm. He joined the Navy at the age of 19, shortly after Pearl Harbor serving on a ship.
In 1944 he married Rena Mae Jones of Friendship. They had two sons, Leslie William and John Henry.
After the war they lived and farmed in Friendship, and he worked for the City of Adams for a few years. In the 1960’s they moved to the Eastern part of the state, where he worked for the City of Kaukauna until his retirement.
Willy loved hunting, fishing, bowling, driving race car number 19 on the speedway. He took up golfing when he was in his 70’s and continued until he was 90.
Willy was preceded in death by his wife, Rena (1994); parents, Henry & Adella Bandt; brothers, Arnold (Darlene) Bandt; Rudy Bandt; Russell Bandt; Donald (second wife Mary Bandt & third wife Jenny Bandt); sisters, Violet (Ernie) Strey; Lila (Bill) Frozene; Carole (Clarence) Gethers; Marie (Sam) DeQuardo; Joyce (Ed) Colby; brother-in-law, Stanley Warren; former Sister-in-law, Marilyn Bandt and many nieces & nephews.
Survivors:
Son: Leslie (Judy Svoboda) Bandt of Appleton, Wisconsin
Son: John Bandt of Kaukauna, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Jessie Mae Bandt of Appleton, Wisconsin
Granddaughter: Ayla Vivian King of Bismark, North Dakota
Great-Grandson: Max King of Bismark, North Dakota
Mother of Jessie Mae: Ann Turner of Appleton, Wisconsin
Brother: Hollis Bandt of Wautoma, Wisconsin
Sister: Charlotte Warren of Adams, Wisconsin
Sister-in-law: Sally Bandt of Wautoma, Wisconsin
Former sister-in-law: Peggy Bandt of Wautoma, Wisconsin
Former Sister-in-law: Beverly
4 loving furry friends: Charlie, Linus, Alice, and Mama Kitty
further survived by many: nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews, and great-great nieces & nephews.
Charlotte & family~~Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I remember the many stories shared about him, may he rest in peace.
I remember Uncle Willy as a very fun guy to be around. When the Bandt gang would get together at my Grandma’s (Lila Frozene) for hunting season or some other gathering I loved listening to all the stories and laughter that seemed to abound. I think the PBR may have had something to do with it too. 🙂 And I remember being so impressed with the Birthday card that he would send Grandma every year. It was always a beautiful card with meaningful verse and he’d write a nice note.
May God comfort all who mourn Willy’s separation from this Earthly life.
Charlotte, so sorry to hear about Willy. Loved his sense of humor.
Bill and Rena were our neighbors when I was young. He and my Dad were boxing fans and we would always go to their house to watch the Wed and
Friday night fights on TV. Bill was good with engines and often tuned our tractors when they wouldn’t start. He was a really nice guy. Condolences to his family.
Rest In Peace Uncle Willy. Give Aunt Rena a hug and don’t hold back on the Jokes upstairs.
Charlotte – My Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.