Willard W. Waeffler, age 96, died Sunday, April 20, 2008 at Stoughton Hospital. He was born September 27, 1911 on a farm in Wheaton, MN, the son of Gottfried and Louisa (Isley) Waeffler. He moved to Monroe, Wisconsin, at the age of 15 where he graduated from high school. After 1 1/2 years of college, he traveled for the Carl Marty Cheese Co. and spent several years as a sales representative in the Philadelphia, New York City and Pittsburgh areas. Willard married Josephine Voegeli on October 16, 1937, in Monroe, Wisconsin. She preceded him in death on October 9, 1994. In 1940, he started a home delivery milk business in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. He came to Evansville, Wisconsin, in 1943 and purchased the former Ice Cream and Locker Plant changing the name to Swiss Family Smokehouse where he developed the first all beef summer sausage made in southern Wisconsin for wholesale trade. His products were shipped to specialty stores in 11 states. He was a pioneer in venison sausage-making, becoming one of the largest plants in Southern Wisconsin. After 34 years in business he sold the smokehouse and retired in 1977. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church since 1945, served two terms on the council, and sang in the choir for 40 years. Willard also sang in a barbershop quartet and chorus in Florida where he and Jo spent winters after his retirement. In the 1950s he served four years on the Evansville School Board. He was a past member of the Lion's Club, Chamber of Commerce and Masonic Lodge. Willard was the driving force for Evansville's swimming pool, so every child could learn to swim in sanitary conditions. Willard bowled in several classic leagues in Monroe, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Menomonee Falls, Janesville, and Evansville. In 1975, he was the first inductee into the Janesville Bowling Association Hall of Fame. He won the Philadelphia doubles title in 1936, was runner up in the Wisconsin State Match game championship of 1945, and was five time winner of the J.B.A. scratch event. He loved to play golf; his most recent accomplishment was shooting his age of 84, the first time that was known to be done by an Evansville golfer.

He is survived by three children, Rosemary (Myron) LaRowe of Reedsburg, Willard James Waeffler of Wauwatosa, and Thomas (Jean) Waeffler of Madison; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, four sisters and his daughter in-law, Alexandra (Lovejoy) Waeffler.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Evansville, with Reverend Bob Schaefer officiating. There will be a visitation from 10 a.m. Thursday until the time of service. Burial will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery in Evansville. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at the Ward Funeral Home, 130 South 5th Street, Evansville, Wisconsin. The family suggests memorials to St. John's Lutheran Church, American Lung Association and the Salvation Army.