William E. Wallender

William E. Wallender, 83, of North Fond du Lac, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, Oct. 12, after a long battle with Parkinson’s.

The youngest of five children born to William and Bertha Wallender in NFDL, he was a 1953 graduate of NFDL High School. Following his graduation, he enrolled in the US Army Corps of Engineers and served from 1953 to 1956.

On Aug. 27, 1955 he married the love of his life, Judith Woodruff, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church in NFDL. The two were blessed with sixty-three years of marriage and have four children, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Spending time with family was one of his great joys in life.

William was also an avid hunter and fisherman and was a lover of all Wisconsin sports teams. He also wore many hats for the village of NFDL. He served the community as fire chief, NFDL Village Board member, school board president, EMS director and boy’s baseball program creator.

He was also a devout Christian and served as an elder and board member at Divine Savior Lutheran in NFDL.

William’s career spanned 41 years, working for the Soo Line and Wisconsin Central, first as a machinist and later as a roundhouse foreman.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Robert and Norbert Wallender. He is survived by his wife Judy; his daughter Janis (Jim) Gutreuter of Fond du Lac; son Daniel (Lori) Wallender of Minocqua; son Timothy (Kathy) Wallender of FDL; son Steven (Carrie) Wallender of FDL, his ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his two sisters, June (Morris) Erickson and Ann Meyer.

Visitation will be held at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, on Tuesday, Oct 16, 2018, from 3-6 P.M. with a prayer service to follow at 6:00 PM. Interment will be at Estabrooks Cemetery on Wednesday, Oct 17, 2018, in a private ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for people to donate to Southern Care Hospice or a church of their choosing.