William H. Knoedler, MD

Dr. William Knoedler, Jr., 88, Kimberly, WI, passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2005. “Dr. Bill” was the oldest of seven children born to William Knoedler, Sr. and Beatrice (Bachman) of Mosinee, Wisconsin. He was born on June 16, 1917 in Wausau, Wisconsin and graduated from Mosinee High School in 1935. He was the first of his family to attend college graduating from Marquette University in 1939, then finishing Marquette Medical School in 1943. He married Mary Ann Hillen of Milwaukee in 1943. He actively served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947 upon finishing his residency in Milwaukee, and then initiated a general practice in Mosinee in 1947. In 1963, he began a twenty-three year practice in Kimberly until his retirement in 1986, completing 39 years of active medical practice. Bill also served as Medical Director of Colony Oaks Care Center and Appleton Papers. In their retirement years, Bill and May Ann have lived in Kimberly and Kelly Lake, Wisconsin and Destin, Florida.

Bill was a member of Holy Spirit Congregation in Kimberly, the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Outagamie Medical Society, the Wisconsin Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Some of Bill’s fondest memories stemmed from his loyal support of Marquette University athletics, from his more than fifty years of bleeding green and gold as a season ticket holder for the Green Bay Packers, and from his many active years in the St. Patrick’s Day Green Hair Society.

Bill is survived by May Ann, his loving and devoted wife of sixty-two years; son William (Vicky) Knoedler III of Middleton; son Michael (Kathy) and grandchildren Lydia (Juned Saddique), Darly (Kristi) and Grace of Dodgeville; daughter Ann (Bill Ross) and grandson Shannon of Milwaukee; daughter Ellen (Michael Duane) and grandchildren Nora, Eamon and Will of East Montpelier, VT; son Jody Williams (Kim) and grandchildren Tasha, Craig, and Tijana of Fond du Lac; brother David of Schofield; sister Nancy (Jack) Hillen of Kelly Lake; sister-in-law Laverna of Mosinee; sister-in-law Jean (Ervin) Pinnow of Milwaukee; sister-in-law Shirley (Jim) Zandron of Arizona; and by numerous extended family and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his son Jamie Williams, brothers, George and John, sisters, Mary and Margaret, and sister-in-law, Mary Margaret.

Strong Catholic spiritual beliefs guided his life and inspired him to be kind and generous to all he encountered. He taught his children concern for the poor and mistreated and influenced them to be of service to others in their own lives. He cherished the companionship of Mary Ann, his wife of sixty-two years, and was grateful for her loving care in the last weeks of his life.

The funeral liturgy will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 16, 2005 at HOLY SPIRIT PARISH – 600 E. Kimberly Avenue in Kimberly. Friends may call at the Jansen-Fargo Funeral Home in Kimberly on Friday evening, July 15, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. There will also be calling hours at the church on Saturday from 9:30 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Spirit Church or to the Affinity Hospice Program.