William "Bill" N. Riedel

William (Bill) Norbert Riedel, 88, a resident of Oshkosh since 1972, died on Saturday, June 19th, 2021. One of nine children, Bill was born and raised in Kimberly, WI where he also graduated from high school. A very proud sailor and veteran, he served in the US Navy on board the USS Bataan as an electrician during the Korean Conflict. Well into his 80’s, he loved recalling and telling detailed stories of life onboard ship.

In 1957, Bill married his beloved wife of 57 years, Vivian Dalum Riedel. They married in Vivian’s hometown of Caroline, WI and settled down to raise a family in Appleton, WI, later resettling in Oshkosh.

For most of his working life, Bill was employed as foreman at Godshall Paper Box Company in Appleton and then Oshkosh, retiring in 1994. Bill’s Godshall co-workers were like a second family to him. He was also a skilled meat-cutter and sometimes worked a second job as a grocery store butcher. He was often kept busy during deer-hunting season, earning venison sausage and “butterfly steaks” for his skills.

Bill started a small bike repair business while living in Appleton and moved the business when the family relocated to Oshkosh. He would change locations of “Bill's Bike Repair” many times but his customers always found him.

In 1974 he joined the United States Army Reserve 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 84th Division and retired from the military as a First Sergeant in 1990 with twenty years of combined service.

Bill enjoyed deer hunting, and was talented with both a rifle and bow. He also loved to fish, golf, and bowl—once hitting a game of 266. Bill and Vivian received many trophies for their golf and bowling skills. We will miss the distinctive “pop” of dad’s thumb releasing the ball. He also loved an occasional Southern Comfort Manhattan.

In retirement, he ran Bill’s Bike Repair more like a non-profit than a small business, leading to his reputation for providing bikes to kids and to those in need. Many an Oshkosh resident knew Bill as the guy who repaired or gave them their bike. He was particularly generous to St. Vincent de Paul. For around 10 years, St Vinnie's would deliver donated bikes to Bill, which he in turn would repair, add parts where needed, and make the bikes retail ready, at no charge for his labor or the parts. St. Vincent’s even gave him discretion to occasionally donate bikes directly to someone in need. Bill estimated that he refurbished or repaired more than 10,000 bikes.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Christina Riedel (Von Fel
dt); his beloved wife, Vivian Dalum Riedel; his brothers, Jerry, Robert, John and David; his sisters, Helen and Sharon, brothers-in-law, Laurence Ulrich and Ronald Sternagel; his sisters in-law Carolyn Riedel, Nancy Riedel and Nancy Dalum.

He is survived by his brothers, Joseph (Marge) Riedel, and James Riedel; son, Steve (Dixie) Riedel; daughters, Susan (Tom) McInnis and Mary Riedel; grandchildren, Grace Riedel, Spencer Riedel, and Shannon McInnis; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Sternagel, Kaye Riedel, Sherie Riedel and Pat Riedel; and by over 30 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating Bill’s life will be held on Saturday, July 3rd at All Saints Lutheran Church, 1022 Honey Creek Road, with visitation from 3:00pm to 4:30pm, memorial service at 4:30pm followed by Military Honors. His cremated remains will be interred at Caroline Cemetery at a later date.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Bella Vista and to St. Croix Hospice, for the loving care they provided to Bill.