Obit: Hesse, William "Bill" (1933 – 2016)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hesse, Cunningham, McGuire, McKibbin, Van Grinsven, Lemmens, Beasley, Schmitz

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 07 Dec 2016

Hesse, William "Bill" (12 JAN 1933 – 4 DEC 2016)

William “Bill” Hesse, 83, formerly of Loyal, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Appleton, where he had resided since 2013. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Appleton. A graveside service will be held at a later date at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Waseca, Minn.

Bill was born on Jan. 12, 1933, on a farm near Plummer, Minn. He was the youngest of 10 children born to William J. and Elizabeth K. (nee Cunningham) Hesse. Bill spent his early years on farms that his parents operated. During his high school years, he worked at a feed mill and the local printing company. He continued in the printing trade, working for commercial printing companies in Minneapolis until he spent two years on active duty with the U.S. Navy. Following his discharge in 1955, he was employed by the Albert Lea Tribune. In 1957, he purchased a weekly newspaper in Minnesota Lake, Minn. On Oct. 29, 1960, he married Jean Marie McGuire in Waseca, Minn. They moved to Loyal in 1961 and continued in the printing and newspaper business until 1968 when Bill started his career selling multiple lines of insurance through their independent insurance agency. He was active in the community by becoming a charter member of the Lion's Club until 2013, when they left Loyal. He was also active in local government and served a term as mayor. Although very occupied with running the insurance agency and later a rural mutual insurance company, as a father, he always found time to attend the various sporting, scouting, and school events his sons were involved with. As a grandfather, he truly enjoyed the time and experiences he had with his six grandchildren and eventually, two great-grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Jean; their two sons: Alan (Shelly McKibbin) and David (Christa Van Grinsven); six grandchildren: Meghan (Marcel Lemmens), Sarah (Kevin Beasley), Matt, Sean, Alison, and Mason; two great-grandchildren: Isabella and Edison Beasley; and his sister, Jean (Hesse) Schmitz
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to The Highground Veterans Memorial Park, Neillsville.

Wichmann-Fargo Funeral Homes, Appleton, is assisting the family with arrangements.