William G. Andersen

Bill Andersen was born on May 30, 1937, in Green Bay, WI, to Harvey and Doris (Taylor) Andersen, the second child in the family. He excelled in sports. During his West High years, 1953-1955, he became known as Mr. Football, Bronco Bill, and a host of other catchy names for his football, basketball, and track prowess. Bill held on to numerous records for State Championships in Madison that took years to beat. Bill still loved all sports and cool cars. Bill was the best of us.

Bill spent 6 years in the Army Reserve as an 82nd Airborne Green Beret.

Bill was a quiet, modest, and kind person whom everyone liked. He worked for three years at Bogda Chevrolet during high school years, then 35 years at Olson Trailer and Body, and for 10 years at Master Fleet as parts manager. Bill had an excellent work ethic.

Bill lived at home in Suamico with Mom and Dad. When Dad passed in 1973, Bill took care of Mom until her passing in 2003. He did so without complaint and with his usual good humor.

When we were kids, our three older brothers, Harvey, Bill, and Larry, all taught us how to ride our bikes and how to color inside the lines with crayons, but it was Bill who taught us how to play street football and baseball. Bill taught us the art of setting up the plays, passing, and running. We have numerous home movies of playing football and baseball in the street, often with big brother, Bill, as quarterback.

Bill was always generous to let us younger siblings use his car (or cars) for dates or when our own vehicles were being serviced, even his prized 1965 fire-engine red Pontiac Bonneville 2-door hardtop. He learned how to keep a car running by maintaining his 1939 Chevy sedan in high school, and used that learning to get a job at Bogda Chevrolet, which led him to his other parts department positions.

Bill loved dogs and had one almost all the time from his high school graduation until just a few years ago. Those dogs all returned the love in spades. They stuck to Bill like Velcro. Among them were Jet, Lady Soupbone, and Krypton I, II, and III. Bill requested that his last dog, a Gordon Setter that we all agreed was Miss Personality, have her ashes placed with his.

Bill is survived by his brother, Curtis D. (Linda) Andersen, sister Louise A. Lowery, and brother Craig L. Andersen; nieces and nephews, Sheri L. (Al) Gardapee, Gregg S. (Amy) Andersen, Lisa (Jim) Kinney, Chad M. (Michelle) Lowery, Corey M. Lowery, Julie (Frank) Andersen Holmes, Craig Andersen Jr., Barry and Bryan Andersen, sister-in-law, Carol Andersen, and cousins, Julie (Bogda) Shirley, Tom Andersen, Jim Andersen, and Lynn M. (Andersen) King; nine grandnieces and grandnephews, and five great-grandnieces.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, grand aunts; parents; brothers, Harvey T. Andersen, Lawrence K. “Spike” Andersen, and Lawrence’s wife, Kathleen (King) “Queenie” Andersen; cousin, Mary (Andersen) Boenen, and cousin, Russ Bogda II.

Per Bill’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. We thank the doctors and nurses at Bellin Memorial Hospital for their wonderful work to keep Bill going, and to the prompt response from the rescue squad, the police, and the coroner. Special thanks to Bill’s friends, Doug and Norma Nelson, for their devoted attention when he had appointments, for assistance with home repairs, and to Norma for her wonderful Tuesday meals. Thanks to Craig Andersen, Jr., and Gregg Andersen who helped Bill with numerous fixes over the last year and more. Thanks, also, to neighbors and friends who assisted Bill.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.