William John Yerke, age 77, of Arkdale, formerly of Clinton, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at his home.
William was born October 21, 1939, in Montfort, Wisconsin to Earl and Lorraine (Nechkash) Yerke. He graduated from Cobb High School in 1957.
William served in the United States Army from August 1959, stationed in Germany as a truck/tank mechanic during the Cold War. He was granted early release from active duty for serving overseas in 1962 and then served in the US Army Reserves, honorably discharged in August 1965.
He married Mary Ann Withee on April 18, 1964 in Belleview, IL. He and Mary Ann had celebrated 40 years of marriage just prior to her death in 2004.
William worked for over 30 years at Chrysler Corporation in Belvidere, IL, before retiring on September 30, 1995. Most of his years at Chrysler were spent in skilled trades. Following retirement, William and Mary Ann enjoyed their summers at their log cabin in Arkdale, WI, and winters in Floral City, FL.
He was a proud, lifelong member of the NRA and a former member of Central Christian Church in Beloit, WI. William enjoyed going to car shows, collecting guns, tinkering in his garage, gardening, and buying and selling nearly everything. He was always there to tell a good joke and lend a helping hand to anyone.
Surviving are his eldest son, Gregory (Julie) Yerke of Janesville, WI; their children Hunter and Liesl Yerke of Janesville, WI; his deceased son John Yerke’s children, William Yerke of FL and Timothy Yerke of Janesville, WI; brothers Gene (Charlotte) Yerke of TN and Larry (Judith) Yerke of Adams, WI; sisters Kay Rice and Rose Lee of Adams, WI; and nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
William was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Ann Yerke; son, John Yerke, and brothers-in-law, Darrell Rice & Chuck Lee.
A private family graveside memorial service will be held at the Clinton Cemetery.
So sorry Larry. That picture is the way I remember him. Bill On The Hill was such a good friend to Jim and me. We spent many good times together.
Dear Greg & family~
I’m not sure if you remember me, but I remember coming over to your house in Clinton with my parents (Thelma Novinska & Robert Washburn) and riding mini bikes, go carts…. You guys had so many fun and exciting motorized options. I remember your dad’s laugh – I’m smiling as I remember seeing the corners of his lips turn up and eyes squinting. May you find comfort in knowing how special your dad was to me, you, others’.
Sincerely~Laurie
Bill you will be missed so much my heart is broken going north just won’t be the same you will be missed we loved our trips north. And our grandkids loved going to your place and hanging out.you taught our grandkids so much over the years. Even driving. Deja would run as fast as she could when we get up north.You were and always will be her grandpa. .
Bill you will be missed so much my heart is broken going north just won’t be the same you will be missed we loved our trips north. And our grandkids loved going to your place and hanging out.you taught our grandkids so much over the years. Even driving. Deja would run as fast as she could when we get up north.You were and always will be her grandpa. .
Our deepest condolences to all our Yerke family in Wisconsin. I hated hearing of Bills passing today. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with each of you, especially you Greg.
Bill was one of the best Bill had a heart of gold. I loved talking to Bill about the old times in Clinton when he would stop in at Fred’s shop and talk with Fred and help him work on cars. I will miss you my friend.
Pat Schnurr
Bill was a great guy and a regular customer when I owned Carquest. I always enjoyed talking to him about his various vehicles. He certainly had a great love of automobiles. His easy smile and friendly manner will certainly be missed, but leaves me with great memories that will always make me smile as I remember him.
My deepest condolences to Bill’s family.
Peter Hickethier
Our deepest sympathy to Greg, Larry, Kay and family. Over the past 15 years of being neighbors, we have had many laughs, cry’s, meals and fun. It will never be the same around here. He will truly be missed.
Bill, you will be missed you were a great friend. I loved you like my dad and best friend. I will miss having coffee with you and all of our stories and phone conversations. To bills family your dad and brother was a great man and will be truly missed. With my deepest sympathy I’m sorry for your lose.
My deepest sympathies to Bill’s family! I loved waiting on him at AF County Market! He always made me smile! Especially when I would looked confused because he looked so much like his brother Larry and he would tease me about getting them mixed up 🙁 He will be greatly missed ;(
With deepest condolences to family, my very dear friend of 50 years ,that puts a big hole in the fabric of my life
I’m so sorry to hear about Bill. I will miss him comin into Ace everyday and telling me his stories and trying to sell me stuff. He was a wonderful man. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My deepest sympathies to the Yerke family. Getting Pizza at the pub was always a great time and he will always be known as “Grandpa Bill” to our family as my daughter, Bella so often called him. He was a good man with such a big heart and he surely will be missed.
My Condolences and Deepest Sympathies to Bill’s Family he was a dear friend and a grandpa to my son we will miss you Bill thank you for the memories and. God Bless
My Condolences and deepest Sympathy to Bill’s Family. He will be missed. I enjoyed my chats with Bill I will miss you Bill
Our deepest sympathy to Mr.Bill’s Family,Mr.Bill was a great and very dear friend he will be missed by everyone.Bill had such a very kind soul and a warm heart and loved by many the heavens is a better place now having Bill there brightening up the heaven with his jokes and smirk of a smile.Bill left us all with a life time of memories to cherish God Bless we will miss you Mr.Bill
Our deepest Sympathy to the family, Brian and I enjoyed visiting with Bill, we will miss him.