William Felhofer

William "Bud" Felhofer, age 89 of Germantown, went home to the Lord on January 28, 2017 peacefully while at home. William Francis Felhofer was born on January 2, 1928 to Frank and Gladys (Kreyche) Felhofer. He was raised in Sturgeon Bay with his siblings Virginia "Ginny", Margaret "Peg", and Francis "Franny". Growing up in Sturgeon Bay, Bill enjoyed; picking cherries with his siblings, playing with the dogs, seeing how far his Chevy could coast in neutral from the top of the hill on the east side of the Michigan Street Bridge, and working at his Dad's Cherryland Super Service station with his Dad. He graduated in 1945 from Sturgeon Bay High School and he joined the Navy. As a member of the US Navy Bill trained at Great Lakes Naval Base facility. He served at the US Sub Base at Midway Island where he worked as Motor Machinist Class A. Bill also sailed the Great Lakes. A perpetual student of geography, Bill was always happy to tell you the capital of any state. He became a steamfitter and received his 50 year service award from Steamfitters Local 601. Bill loved to work, always looking for things to fix, improve, replace or paint. And yet he always found time to help others. He truly had a heart of gold. Bill married Marie DeMeuse on July 10, 1954, at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Sturgeon Bay. Truly devoted to Marie, together they raised six wonderful children in Brown Deer: Gregg (Mary) Felhofer, Steve (Connie) Felhofer, Tom (Lynn) Felhofer, Jim (Martha) Felhofer, Sharon (Gary) Pluff, and Nancy (Kevin) Markowski. Bill and Marie enjoyed 62 years of marriage and have 17 grandchildren: Tim Felhofer (Ann), Brian Felhofer, Christine Droukas (Roger), Michelle Alexander, Dan Felhofer, Jackie Burhans (Dave), Amanda Oswald (Tony), Simon Felhofer (Jena), Aaron Felhofer, Ashley Felhofer, Samantha Felhofer, Tyler Pluff, Austin Pluff, Jenny Markowski, Dave Markowski, Jason Lynch (Tammy) and Bridget Lynch, and six great-grandchildren: Hailey, Abby, Matthew, Elizabeth, Jacob and Ella. Most important to Bill was his family. He was a father that led by example and set expectations high. He enjoyed making memories at the family cottage, gardening, planting trees, watching sports, listening to polka music, traveling and helping others. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6646 and of the American Legion Post 0001. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Virginia, his son Gregory, and his grandson Brian. Visitation will be held on Saturday February 4, 2017 from 10:00am - 11:00am at St. Mary Catholic Church, N89 W16297 Cleveland Ave, Menomonee Falls, Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00am. After Mass, family and friends are invited to gather to share lunch and memories at the American Legion Post N120 W15932 Freistadt Rd in Germantown. Inurnment will take place at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Sturgeon Bay at a later date. Memorials will be donated by the family to The Wisconsin Parkinson's Association. Bill was a man of faith, greatly loved by his family. He will be dearly missed.