William "Bill" L. Bruce, age 76, passed away on May 11, 2014 after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer at his home in Monroe. He was born on August 29, 1937 in Delavan, WI, the son of LeRoy and Jayne (Wilder) Bruce.
Bill graduated from Delavan High School and then enlisted in the US Army. He was a missile operator at White Sand and Ft. Leavenworth. After his discharge, Bill moved back to Delavan in 1963 and married Sue Ann Heiligenthal. He later married Maureen Hendrickson on June 6, 1982.
Bill started his boiler/burner career in 1959 when he started working for Syncro Flame in Chicago and then worked for Industrial Combustion in research and development and as a line foreman in 1962. He then worked for R. Mueller service as a burner and boiler salesman. In 1996 Bill and his son James, started Bruce Boiler Burner & Equipment, Inc. Bill retired in 2009 after 50 years in the boiler/burner business.
Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoying these to his final days. He was involved with the Green County Conservation League, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Fayette Sportsman Club. He also loved keeping up with his grandchildren and the sports they participated in.
Bill is survived by his wife, Maureen, daughters, Kathy Shebelbon (David Klitzke) of Monroe, Nancy Ellison, of Monroe, Kristina (Jerry) Gunser of Monroe, sons, Kenneth (Lisa) Bruce of Madison, James (Veronica) Bruce of Monroe, 9 grandchildren: William, Heather, Johnathon, Abigail, Alyssa, Jacob, Sidney, McKenzie and Kyle; sisters, Pat (Chuck) Boehnen of Cross Plains, Dorothy Achilli of Union Grove; brother, John (Lynn) Bruce of Elkhorn, brother-in-law Darel Zeigler of O'Fallon, IL and sister-in-law Linda Bruce of Ohio and many nieces, nephews and many special friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, sister, Nancy Zeigler, brother, LeRoy Bruce and infant sister at birth.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Hegeman and all of the nursing home staff at the Monroe Clinic Oncology Dept. and Monroe Hospice for all the special care they gave Bill throughout the years.
Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, May 19, 2014 at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Michael E. Klarer as celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 18th from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home 1455 Mansion Dr., and 18th Ave., in Monroe.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
Bill graduated from Delavan High School and then enlisted in the US Army. He was a missile operator at White Sand and Ft. Leavenworth. After his discharge, Bill moved back to Delavan in 1963 and married Sue Ann Heiligenthal. He later married Maureen Hendrickson on June 6, 1982.
Bill started his boiler/burner career in 1959 when he started working for Syncro Flame in Chicago and then worked for Industrial Combustion in research and development and as a line foreman in 1962. He then worked for R. Mueller service as a burner and boiler salesman. In 1996 Bill and his son James, started Bruce Boiler Burner & Equipment, Inc. Bill retired in 2009 after 50 years in the boiler/burner business.
Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoying these to his final days. He was involved with the Green County Conservation League, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and Fayette Sportsman Club. He also loved keeping up with his grandchildren and the sports they participated in.
Bill is survived by his wife, Maureen, daughters, Kathy Shebelbon (David Klitzke) of Monroe, Nancy Ellison, of Monroe, Kristina (Jerry) Gunser of Monroe, sons, Kenneth (Lisa) Bruce of Madison, James (Veronica) Bruce of Monroe, 9 grandchildren: William, Heather, Johnathon, Abigail, Alyssa, Jacob, Sidney, McKenzie and Kyle; sisters, Pat (Chuck) Boehnen of Cross Plains, Dorothy Achilli of Union Grove; brother, John (Lynn) Bruce of Elkhorn, brother-in-law Darel Zeigler of O'Fallon, IL and sister-in-law Linda Bruce of Ohio and many nieces, nephews and many special friends.
He was preceded in death by parents, sister, Nancy Zeigler, brother, LeRoy Bruce and infant sister at birth.
The family would like to thank Dr. Robert Hegeman and all of the nursing home staff at the Monroe Clinic Oncology Dept. and Monroe Hospice for all the special care they gave Bill throughout the years.
Mass of Christian burial will be Monday, May 19, 2014 at St. Clare of Assisi Parish at St. Victor Catholic Church at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Michael E. Klarer as celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, May 18th from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. at Shriner-Hager-Gohlke Funeral Home 1455 Mansion Dr., and 18th Ave., in Monroe.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.