William G. "Bill" Stanke, 74, 2917 Minnesota Ave., Stevens Point, died Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at Ministry St. Michael's Hospital in Stevens Point.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point, with the Rev. Arul Joseph V. officiating. Burial will be in Guardian Angel Cemetery in Stevens Point.
Visitation will be at Boston Funeral Home in Stevens Point from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and in the St. Faustina Room of the church from 9:30 a.m. Wednesday until the Mass.
Condolences may be offered online at bostonfuneralhome.net.
Mr. Stanke was born Sept. 2, 1937, in Stevens Point, a son of the late John and Julia (Zimbauer) Stanke in Stevens Point. He grew up here, attended St. Peter's Grade School and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School.
He worked several jobs before enlisting in the military. He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force on Sept. 13, 1956. He was stationed in Japan for 2-1/2 years as an military policeman. During his time in service, he received a Good Conduct Medal. He received an honorable discharge on July 31, 1961.
He was married to Linda Hetzer on July 1, 1998, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point.
Following his time in the military, he worked as a truck driver for a number of years before moving to Milwaukee. While living there, he worked for Briggs & Stratton in the assembly area. Years later, he returned to Stevens Point and became employed with Sentry Insurance as a custodian. He later became a full-time custodian at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. He worked there until retirement. He had also driven bus 12 years part-time for the Stevens Point School District.
He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and Moose Family Center 1572.
Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Lisa (Robert) Brummer, Lexington, Ky.; two stepsons, Brian Paulson and Noel (Renee) Paulson, Stevens Point; one stepdaughter, Wendy (Ed) Charneski, Oshkosh; one brother, Jerry, Raleigh, N.C.; one sister, Elaine (Dennis) Singer, Sussex; and seven grandchildren.