Bill Flanagan

Dr. William Flanagan, 82, passed away unexpectedly December 9, 2023.

Bill was born on January 17, 1941, in Madison, Wisconsin to the late Herbert and Thelma Flanagan. He grew up in Kingsford, Michigan, graduated from Kingsford High School, Northern Michigan University and went on to attend Marquette University Dental School. After graduating dental school in 1966, he proudly served two years as a Captain in the US Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Following his service, Bill opened his dental practice in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1968 and retired in 2001. He truly enjoyed being a dentist, caring for his patients and the friendships he formed with them. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at the Tri-County Community Dental Clinic for many years.

Bill married his wife Jeanne (Goggins) on August 21, 1965, and they celebrated 58 years together. Bill was an avid hunter, golfer, and all-around outdoorsman. He enjoyed summers and fall deer hunting for over 55 years at Shawano Lake and raised his family to love the outdoors.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Jeanne, and his children, Patrick (Forest Lake, Minnesota), Brian (Jauna) (Appleton), and Meghan Borman (Appleton). He is also survived by six grandchildren: Collin and Dylan Flanagan, Grace and Ana Flanagan, and Ella and Kathryn Borman. He is further survived by his brother John (Jannice) Flanagan (Oregon, Wisconsin), and brothers-in-law Dan (Barb) Goggins (Andover, Minnesota), Jim (Jean) Goggins (Oshkosh), and David (Robin) Goggins (Anchorage, Alaska), and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and mother and father-in-law Robert and Marjorie (Krings) Goggins.

For years, before dementia narrowed his world, he enjoyed playing Hermey the Elf (Santa's elf that wanted to be a dentist) every Christmas season calling his kids, grandkids and nieces and nephews to find out what they had on their Christmas lists. He was also the master of duct tape and Gorilla glue, much to the chagrin of his family. He remained a Yooper at heart his entire life. Until the end, he enjoyed being with family and friends and eating out. We are grateful to our family and friends who visited, extended invites, and shared our journey along the way.

Bill was a husband, dad, grandpa, papa, and special to all of us. A Funeral Liturgy will occur on December 22, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 West Lawrence Street, at 10:30am. Directly following mass, the family will welcome guests at Riverview Gardens, 1101 S Oneida St, Appleton, WI 54915 until 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Tri County Community Dental Clinic, 9 Tri-Park Way, Appleton, WI 54914 or a charity of your choice.