William Wittkowske

William Wittkowske, age 73 passed away peacefully on Thursday October 31, 2024 at Alten Haus in Neenah WI.

William was born on March 3, 1951 to William F and Lorraine (Scholler) Wittkowske in Milwaukee, WI. He lived on Big Cedar Lake in West Bend, WI until 1957 when he and his family relocated to Allentown, WI. Bill graduated from Slinger High school in 1969 and then the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 1973 where he met and then married his college sweetheart, Cheryl Lynn Hartman. They went on to have 2 sons, Seth and Aaron.

Bill would have many jobs after college, such as Servicemaster in Oshkosh and Scott Construction in the summers. He then would go on to work for Payne and Dolan and North East Asphalt before starting with the city of Oshkosh Street Department where he would go to work for 22 years until his retirement in 2017. His retirement was short lived as Bill decided full time retirement wasn't for him and would go on to become a school bus driver for Kobussen.

Bill's life was always filled with sports from a young age, whether it was playing them with his family, or then participating in them in high school. Football, Baseball and Wrestling were his sports in high school. He still has one of the fastest pins in Slinger High School Wrestling history and college to participating in many city and tavern leagues in softball and baseball in his older years, the 35 year old league, the 50 year old league, the 55 year old league. He also became a highly ranked handball player in the Ray Naveau Kill shot club in the local YMCA circuit from 1979-1997 until having to have knee surgery following a car accident.

He also would go on to share his love of sports with his children and would teach them and encourage them to play as well. He made sure he never missed one of Seth's softball or basketball games or wrestling matches growing up. He also never missed the opportunity to go fishing and it was something he and Aaron always enjoyed, especially on the ice.

In retirement, Bill really began to appreciate the company of two of his favorite companions. Buddy his little Chihuahua and Charlotte his only grandchild. He always took the chance to be able to brag about them, or share a story about them, or photo or show them off when with friends or down at the local tavern. He loved the Copper Mule. He loved taking Buddy for walks, or as they both got older long rides in the car. He also loved when Charlotte would come visit and he could do his silly voices or tell her silly stories and songs. He loved being her "papa".

Bill is survived by his children, Seth (Holly Jo Heussner) of Oshkosh, WI and Aaron Wittkowske of Plymouth, WI . Granddaughter Charlotte Wittkowske of Oshkosh, WI. Sisters Lois Wittkowske of West Bend, WI, Mary Beder of Dodge Center, MN. Brothers Carl (Cindy) Wittkowske of Golden Valley, MN and Gene Wittkowske of Rapid City, SD. Sisters-in-law Michele (Matt) Meszaros and Steph (Clark) Nipko of Oshkosh, WI, Patricia Roecker of Hartford, WI as well as many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a lot of friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers James and John Wittkowske, Father-in-law Clyde Hartman, Mother-in-law, Elaine Hartman, sisters-in-law JoAnn and Hyon Sye, Brother-in-law John Beder and wife Cheryl Hartman.

A visitation will be held Friday, November 15 from 10 am until 12 pm at Konrad-Behlman Westside, 100 Lake Pointe Road in Oshkosh WI with a luncheon to follow at LaSure's. In honor of Bill, we ask that you wear your favorite flannel shirt or best Green Bay Packer attire. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society.