Robert J. Wills

Robert J. Wills

Born May 11, 1935, in Dexterville, WI

He married the love of his life, Delores Budtke, on August 27, 1955, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Sigel, WI. Dee and Bob continued to deeply love each other for 67 years. Bob worked at Consolidated Papers for 42 years.

Bob applied to work at the mill the day before turning 18. They told him to come back when he was 18. The next day, Bob showed up and was hired on the spot. Bob worked on the Jacob Searles cranberry marsh before he was 18 and continued to work there seasonally until 2015. Bob also worked landscaping business with a close friend during the summer.

One thing about Bob was that he was always willing to lend a hand to family, friends, and even those he didn't know. Bob's love for his wife and family was never-ending. Bob took countless trips Up North and enjoyed traveling with his wife.

Bob loved deer hunting with his son, Lyle. Bob took pride in keeping his lawn looking sharp and green and grew flowers as beautiful as his wife. Bob often told Dee how beautiful she was and that everything would always be okay as long as she was by his side.

It was customary to see a grandchild sitting on his lap while mowing the lawn, teaching them how to mow grandpa’s way, and after a long day’s work, it was time for a PBR. On Sundays, you could find Bob in a church pew worshipping God, and he was always engaged in the church community. He was a treasurer and usher at Bethany Lutheran Church for many years.

One tale Bob enjoyed sharing was about his thoroughbred horse named Corky. He would tell about how fast Corky could run, and the passion for horses was deeply ingrained in him. Bob's ocean-blue eyes were always full of love, and he made his family feel safe.

Bob is survived by his wife, Delores, daughters, Sandra (John) Egerer, Susan Wills, Sarah Wills, Stacy (Matt) Bronk and daughter-in-law Kim Wills. Sister Wanda Krueger. Grandchildren Jamie Murphy, Jennifer Egerer (Harley Spees), Joshua (Heather) Egerer, Cody (Andrea) Wills, Amanda (Aaron) Zelin, Ashley Koch (D’mitri Roach), Elijah Jinsky (Jenna Lopez), Phaedra Jinsky (Justin Carabello) and Talon Bronk. Great-Grandchildren Makayla Murphy, Lukas Egerer, Meredith and Evan Egerer, Brayton Wills, Nathaniel Koch, Ellaina and Delilah Zelin.

Bob was preceded in death by his son, Lyle Wills, parents Glen and Doris Wills, Sisters Joyce and Bonnie, brother Warren, mother-in-law Dora Budtke, and father-in-law Edward Budtke, sisters-in-law Bernice Ress and Adeline Hamus, and brothers-in-law Lester Ress and Everett Hamus, and nephew Brad.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at First English Lutheran Church 440 Garfield St. Wisconsin Rapids. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and also from 9:00 a.m. on Friday until the time of the services at the church.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nurses of Promedica-Aspirus at home and Alyssa Dachel for all the care they gave Bob.

The love Bob gave to everyone will be dearly missed. As always, Bob Wills is still The King.

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