William C. Elias

Bill Elias, a lifelong Appleton resident, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, March 20, 2010. He was 92. Bill was born in Appleton on September 7, 1917, son of the late Max and Emma (Hauert) Elias. After his graduation from high school, Bill joined his father in the family business, Valley Sporting Goods, Inc. Bill would go on to own and operate the business here in Appleton for many years. In his younger years, Bill was well known as an all around athlete who excelled in baseball, basketball, football, and softball. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing; all of these traits made him the perfect fit to be in the family sporting goods business. During World War II, Bill proudly served his country as a member of the Air Corps as a pilot and flight engineer. He was honorably discharged on New Year's Day of 1946. On December 30, 1948, he married the former Adeline Kluge in Appleton and began a wonderful sixty-one year journey with her. Everyone will remember Bill for his love and memory of Appleton's rich history, his quick and analytical mind, as being a avid reader and faithful follower of the daily news, as a golf enthusiast, and as a truly dedicated Packer fan. In his later years, Bill began to correspond with family and friends with beautifully written, articulate letters.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one years: Adeline Elias of Appleton; two children: Michael (Ann) Elias of Menasha and Bonne (Bill Planner) Elias Planner of Appleton; a granddaughter: Amy Elias of Milwaukee; a brother: Richard (Gwen) Elias of St. Paul, Minnesota; and two sisters-in-law: Mary Vandermause of Fort Atkinson and Helen (Bill) Luedtke of Clarksville, Tennessee. There are also nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant twin sister, a brother Robert (Gertrude) Elias, and a sister Betty (Paul) Jaedtke.

Funeral services for Bill will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 at the Star of Hope Chapel at Highland Memorial Park, 3131 N. Richmond Street in Appleton. Rev. Judy Deckert of Grace Lutheran Church will officiate. Friends may call directly at the cemetery chapel on Wednesday morning from 9:30 AM until the hour of the service. A memorial fund has been established to honor Bill's memory.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231