William Menzel

William F. Menzel was born November 10, 1917 in Chicago, Illinois to William F. Menzel and Elizabeth A. Roehrig. He passed away January 30, 2011 at Spooner Health Systems at the age of 93. He will be greatly missed by family and all who knew him. William spent his childhood years in Chicago and attended Catholic School there. He and his brother Ed as children found many things to do in Chicago. Also, as their father was an electrical engineer for theaters in Chicago, they saw many shows. William entered the Army in April of 1941 and was sent to Fort Custer, Michigan. He was next sent to Iceland where they built quanset huts and metal buildings and work areas where they assembled vehicles for combat. Later he became a company cook, then head cook and sergeant rating. Later they were sent to England and Scotland, then the invasion of Germany. After being wounded and spending two months in the hospital, he was sent home. He was awarded a Bronze Star, Rifle Bade and a Purple Heart. He served until July of 1945 when discharged. After the service he worked as a steeplejack. Later he worked as an interior and exterior painter. He painted many houses and some churches in the Washburn and Sawyer County area. William also worked for ten years in maintenance at the Hayward Hospital and Nursing Home. William married Joyce Slayton in November of 1982. William is preceded in death by his sister Alyce, brother Ed, son Danny and step-son Lanny. He is survived by his wife, Joyce; sister, Betty McKenna; sons, Gene (Jonel) and Dan (Deb); daughters, Donna (Wayne) Witthuhn, Judy and Sue; step-daughters, Dora Lee and Sandra O'Hare; grandchildren, Scott Seehuetter, Jessica (Andy) Falk, Jedadiah Tinlin, Heather Menzel, Kristie Witthuhn, Charlie Witthuhn, Buffy (Jerry) Mohlman, Lynn Espersen, Dawn (Keith) Rury and Jenny Arzate; great-granchildren, Danielle Young, Tegan Seeheutter, Kayla Rury, Jared Tinlin, J.T. Tinlin, Katie Feldbaum, Patrick Vaughn and Samantha Vaughn. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 7, 2011 at 12:00 pm (visitation 10 am - 12 pm) at Scalzo-Taylor Family Funeral Home with Fr. Bob Rodgers as officiant. Interment will follow at Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Casketbearers will be Dave Zimbrick, Frank Zimbrick, Dale Steinback, Dan Crye, Dan Menzel and Wayne Anderson.