Obit: Guenther, William "Bill"  (1921 - 2009)

Contact: Audrey Roedl

Email: audero@charter.net

Surnames: Guenther, Rogers, Bamford, Klaren, Imre

----Source: The Loyal TRG  (Loyal, Clark County, Wis. 06 Jan 2010)

Guenther, William "Bill"  (29 JAN 1921-29 DEC 2009)

William J. "Bill" Guenther, 88, Willard, formerly of Aurora, Ill., passed away on Dec. 29, 2009, at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. The Rev. Joseph Follmar officiated. Pallbearers were Bob Sibilski, Joe Tolaney, Edward "Bing" Perko, Bernard Artac, Robert Trunkel and Jacob Trunkel.. Military rites were conducted by the Greenwood American Legion Post 238. Graveside services were held at 11:30 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 4, in the chapel at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, Aurora, Ill.

William Judson Guenther was born on Jan. 9, 1921, in Sandwich, Ill., to Walter and Ruby (nee Rogers) Guenther. He was raised in the Plano and Sandwich, Ill., area until his father moved to Aurora, when he was 12 years old. He graduated from Aurora West High School in 1939, and then went to work at Richards Wilcox until being inducted into the U.S. Army on Aug. 26, 1942. He served his country proudly for three years in the South Pacific Theater, earning four Bronze Stars. He married Margaret Bamford. They later divorced. After his honorable discharge on Oct. 19, 1945, he went back to work at Richards Wilcox in Aurora. He married Virginia M. Klaren on Oct. 15, 1947, in Aurora. He retired from Richards Wilcox in 1987, after 48 years of employment. His wife, Virginia, passed away on Nov. 6, 1998. During his retirement, he enjoyed gardening and fishing. On Oct. 2, 2003, he married Joan Imre at Holy Family Catholic Church, Willard. They resided in Willard until the time of his death.

He was a loving husband, good father and a doting grandfather. He will be missed by all, especially his much-loved grandson, Jason. He was a member of the Greenwood American Legion Post #238.

Survivors include his loving and caring wife, Joan Gunther, Willard; four children, William (Diane) Guenther Jr., Woy Woy, NSW, Australia, John (Lori) Guenther, Herndon, Va., Clarice Guenther, Montgomery, Ill., and Jeff (Sharon) Guenther, Oswego, Ill.; a stepdaughter, Susan (Arpad) Eiler, Waupaca; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 11 nieces and nephews; and many friends.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his loving wife of 50 years, Virginia M. Guenther; and sister and brother-in-law, Marsha (Junior) Murphy.

The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to all the wonderful doctors and caregivers at Saint Joseph’s Hospital, Marshfield

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mrs. Bill Guenther, C/O Jeff Guenther, 305 Judith Circle, Oswego, Ill. 60538.

Online condolences may be expresses at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Greenwood, assisted the family with arrangements.