Obit: Kramer, William S. (1911 - 2006)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cooper, Hammar, Kramer, Lamb, Smith, Unruh

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 1/26/2006

Kramer, William S. (8 JUL 1911 - 20 JAN 2006)

William S. Kramer went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ early in the morning of January 20, 2006.

He was born on July 8, 1911 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of the late James and Alice (Smith) Kramer. He met and married Helen Unruh in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They were married on March 2, 1940 and his beloved wife preceded him in death on April 17, 2004 after 64 years of marriage.

In 1943, the couple answered a call to go west to Montana as Rural Missionaries with the Rocky Mountain Faith Mission. They worked as church planters, taught Sunday Schools and held Vacation Bible Schools throughout Montana in small towns and villages that had no functioning fundamental churches.

In 1960, they moved to Simms, Montana where Bill took his first full-time pastorate and Helen found her calling as a Pastor's wife.

They moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1964 where Bill was the Associate Pastor of a large church, then to a small church in Meeteetse, Wyoming in 1966. In 1969, they moved to Connecticut where they served in three churches before retiring in 1976.

They moved back to Wyoming, where they lived in Lander until moving to Wisconsin in 1984. In 1986, the Lord called them out of retirement, and Bill pastored a small country church in Goodrich, Taylor County, Wisconsin until Helen's health forced them to resign in 2000.

They then moved to Kewaskum, and lived there until moving to Manor Care Health Services in Fond du Lac in November 2002.

Survivors include three sons, James H. (Marlyn) Kramer of Georgetown, Texas, Kenneth P. (Mary) Kramer of Lomira and William A. (Brenda) Kramer of Waterford, Connecticut; three daughters, Helen M. (Paul) Lamb of Casper, Wyoming, Mary Alice (Bob) Hammar of Georgetown, Texas and Elizabeth A. Cooper of Bruceton, Tennessee; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.He was preceded in death by an infant son, Walter.

A memorial service was held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 11, 2006 at Calvary Bible Church, 70 E. Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 with Pastor Vern Smith officiating.

Memorials to Midwest Indian Mission in Crandon, Wisconsin are appreciated.