William J. Becker

Age 78, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, December 26, 2005. Bill was born in New York, New York, on April 26, 1927, the son of the late William and Dorothy (Carver) Becker. He attended and graduated from high school in Bay Shore, New York, and following his graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a reservist. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 1950, and received his Master’s Degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1951. He also studied at Columbia University while working toward his PhD and received it from Columbia in 1959. In 1958, he began employment as a senior research chemist with NCR in Dayton, Ohio, where he remained until 1972. During this time he married the former Barbara Fach in Steubenville, Ohio on November 21, 1959. For much of his time in Dayton, he also taught chemistry at the University of Dayton. In 1973, a large group of employees was transferred to Appleton when NCR acquired Appleton Papers, and Bill moved his family to Appleton to accept a position as Senior Research Chemist. He retired from Appleton Papers in 1990. Bill enjoyed model railroading and was a member of the Neenah Menasha Model Railroad Club. In his younger years, he enjoyed both golf and bowling. Everyone will remember Bill as an avid reader – he always seemed to have several books going at the same time. He enjoyed reading mystery novels, especially those by Agatha Christie. Bill had a sharp wit and keen sense of humor and always had a funny story ready to tell. His free time was also consumed by working puzzles of various kinds. For many years, Bill was a faithful member of St. Therese Catholic Church, and volunteered as a mass server there.

Due to Bill’s dedication to his field and more than thirty-two years in the industry, he leaves behind an exhaustive list of professional credentials.

Bill is survived by his wife: Barbara Becker of Appleton; three children: Ann E. (Darryl Cobb) Becker of Oakland, California and their daughter Dinah; Joseph Becker of Kaukauna; and Katie (Adam) Kleinberg of San Francisco, California and their daughter Alice; a sister: Barbara (John) Taylor of Berkeley, California; and a brother-in-law: Charles Fach of Steubenville, Ohio. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and by a sister Virginia Greathouse.

The funeral liturgy for Bill will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 31, 2005 at ST. THERESE CATHOLIC CHURCH, corner of Morrison Street and Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton with Fr. William Hoffman officiating. Inurnment will be in Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 PM until the time of a prayer service at 7:00 PM, and again Saturday at the church from 10:00 AM until the hour of the liturgy.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231