----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 02/22/1923

Piper, William N. (20 Augl 1863 - 16 Feb 1923)

William Piper, who has been in charge of the Leonard, Crosset & Riley potato warehouse in this village (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) since early last fall committed suicide by shooting himself at his home on the M. Kronberg farm northwest of the village on Friday last. On that morning he arose at an early hour, secured a shot gun and went to the barn, where he committed the deed. Members of the family, upon going to the barn, later found him dead. No particular reasons are given for the act. Mr. Piper was a good citizen and hard worker, generous to a fault and his many friends deplore his untimely death.

William Nicholas Piper was born at Palmyra, Wis., Aug. 20, 1863 and died at his home at Thorp Feb. 16, 1923 at the age of 59 years, 5 months and 26 days. On Sept. 13, 1886 he was married to Miss Etta Davidson at Waupaca. They made their home at Almond until eleven years ago when they moved to Thorp, where the family home has been ever since. Eight children were born into the home, of who all but one, Earl Milton, who died in infancy, survive their father.

The following children with their widowed mother deeply mourn his untimely departure: Mrs. F. H. Jeffers, Wausau, Wis., Mrs. Alfred Van Gunton, Almond, Wis., Mrs. Otto Emmanuel, Fall Creek, Wis., Roy, Inez, Robert and Floyd, all of Thorp. He also leaves two brothers and four sisters and thirteen grandchildren.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist Church in Thorp, Feb. 19, conducted by the pastor, Rev. F. G. Elwick. Interment took place in the Thorp Village Cemetery.