William J. Chick

William J. Chick, “Duke” passed away peacefully on November 23, 2024. 

Duke was born on August 25, 1939, to Lawrence and Cecelia Chick in Stevens Point, WI. After high school, Duke married and moved to Illinois where he worked with his stepbrother as a mechanic. A couple of years later, he moved back to the Fox Valley and started a family. Motor oil was in his blood and Duke continued to work as a mechanic at Lavalle’s in Neenah and Gibson’s in Menasha before opening his own business, Chick’s Everything Automotive in 1967. After many successful years, he retired in 2006.

Duke’s retirement years were even busier as he remained very active traveling, working on cars and restorations, and socializing. He was a member of the Fond du Lac Car Club and the Fox Valley Street Rod Association, even becoming president of the FVSRA in the early 90’s. He enjoyed raising money with the club for the Ronald McDonald House. Duke attended numerous car shows driving multiple different cars over the years, one of his favorites being his 1948 Pontiac Silver Streak. He had a knack for collecting things and was often found wandering the swap meets. He loved old architecture and took hundreds of pictures everywhere he traveled. Duke was a man of many, many talents, and a wealth of knowledge in just about anything. Someone once said, “the problem is he knows too much!” He had countless friends and acquaintances, and many people who didn’t know him definitely heard about him. He will be greatly missed!

Survivors include his five children: Sue (Pat) Golden, Steve, Diane (special friend Carl), Tom, and Mike. Grandchildren: Ryan Hoerning, Whittney (Jered) Laue, and Ashley Chick. Great-grandchildren: Ellie Hoerning, Emery Wuyt, and Jameson and Weston Laue. One brother: James Chick. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, the mother of his children, Elizabeth Chick, sister Patricia Mueller, several stepbrothers, and stepsister.

A few months prior to his death, Duke had the good fortune of meeting one of his nephews and wife, Rick and Helen, for the first time. Duke and Rick felt an instant connection and were a lot alike. Thank you both – your meeting was a huge highlight in his final months. 

An enormous THANK YOU to Tania – your love, courage, empathy, and OCD was a blessing to Dad and our family. A heartfelt thank you to Tiffany from Hospice who helped us through the final hours.

Per Duke’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. The family started a memorial in Duke’s name at the Ronald McDonald House.