William George Fenrich Sr.

On Friday afternoon May 24th, 2013 "A soul winged its way to Heaven as William G. Fenrich Sr. passed away due to complications of FTD (Frontal Temporal Dementia.)Bill graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1948 where he lettered in baseball. In August of 1948 he and best friend Dick Gaab enlisted in the US Army. While in the Army, he was certified as a heavy equipment operator. He also was on the US Army baseball and basketball teams, stationed in Hawaii for 18 months. In Hawaii, he learned to play golf, which ended up being a life-long hobby. When the Korean War broke out in 1950, he was sent to Japan where he built air strips for the US Army and was awarded the Army Occupation Medal. He was honorably discharged in June 1952. On his last furlough home, he met his wife, Carol Ann Genal and they were married on September 11, 1954 in Oshkosh. Bill is a member of MBS and also of Sacred Heart Parish in Poy Sippi. In March 1953 he started his 43 year career with Kiekhaefer Mercury on Murdock Ave. in Oshkosh. He enjoyed working alongside Carl Kiekhaefer, the founder of Mercury Marine, on the NASCAR and AAA race car circuit, which lead to two Championship winning seasons in '55 and '56. Following his racing days, he remained in the engineering department, where he held several patents for Mercury Marine until he retired. Bill enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, lamps, and cars. He also enjoyed his 1955 Chrysler 300, which he, his son Gary, and friends Dan Brewer and Gerry Celichowski restored. He enjoyed spending time with family and fishing and hunting at his cottage on Big Hills Lake. In his spare time he liked to watch boxing, the stock market, bowl as well as dancing to rock and roll music. He is survived by his wife; Carol, four children and grandchildren in order of families; William (Jo) G. Fenrich Jr., with Brittney, Lacey, and Alec, Don (Claudia) Fenrich, with Amanda and Alyson, Pamela (Jeff) Elmer with Ashley and Andy Elmer, and Gary (Lynne) Fenrich with Lauren and Emma all of Oshkosh. He is also survived by a brother Guy (Audrey) Fenrich of Oshkosh, a sister Patricia Fisher of New London, and three sister-in-laws; Jackie (Rick) Gerlach and Marian and Violet Genal and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father; Roman, mother; Anna (June 24, 2012) at the age of 104, and 2 brothers-in-law; George and Dan Genal.A Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish St. Mary church with Rev. James Jugenheimer officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes-Westside from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. where a prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. with Sister Judith Miller presiding and visitation will be held again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be at Riverside following services where military honors will be performed. Special thanks to Dr. M. Marsel Mesulam at Northwestern University Hospital, Grand Horizon Staff-Darboy, and Asera Care Hospice members chaplain Mike Williams and nurses Tammy Fox and Amanda Brown.In lieu of flowers memorials have been established to the Alzheimers Association or Genal-Fenrich Fund at Oshkosh Community Foundation.