Ronald "Red" Willms

Red Willms, age 79 of Wausaukee, passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning, March 23, 2017 at Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay. Red was born in Milwaukee on October 30, 1937, the son of the late Earl and Sophie (Szalanski) Willms. He graduated from South Milwaukee High School, and for many years worked as a blacksmith at Milwaukee Forge on Milwaukee's south side. On June 1, 1957, Red married Gwen Walker, who had also grown up in Milwaukee. The couple made their home together in Milwaukee Red's retirement. At that time they moved to Oak Creek until their dream came true – an opportunity to move to Wisconsin's Northwoods. They have resided in rural Marinette County for the past several years. Red loved the outdoors, loved to putter around his property, and loved being with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife: Gwen Willms of Wausaukee; a daughter: Amy (Troy) Zacharias of Hollandtown and their children Amanda, Zack, and Kaitlyn; two brothers: Roger (Linda) Willms of Oak Creek and Richard (Judy) Willms of Crivitz; a sister-in-law: Carol Willms of Milwaukee; and two brothers-in-law: Mike (Linda) Walker of Cadiz, Kentucky and Melvin (Betty) Walker of Sevierville, Tennessee. Red was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Robert Willms, a brother-in-law Gary Walker, and a sister-in-law Janetta (Daniel) Swessel.

A memorial service for Red will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 27, 2017, at the Wichmann Funeral Home, Tri County Chapel, 1592 Oneida Street in Menasha. Rev. Paul Holte of St. Paul Lutheran Church will officiate. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Monday morning from 11:00 AM until the time of the service.