William E. Spoerry, age 79 of Monroe died at his home on Tuesday, January 14, 2014 following a fifteen month struggle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was born in Monroe at the Deaconess Hospital on November 26, 1934 to Arthur Sr. and Eileen (Yaeger) Spoerry. Bill spent his entire life in Monroe except for a two year stint in the Navy (March 1954 - March 1956). He always worked in the wholesale cheese business having begun his career under Ed Rufenacht at Pauly Cheese in July 1952. When Ed opened his own company, Bill was selected as Pauly manager and remained in that position for 21 years. After the Pauly branch was combined with the Juneau branch, Bill chose to stay in Monroe and once again became an employee of Ed Rufenacht. He was named production manager at Monroe Cheese Corporation on January 4, 1981 where he remained for 15 years, retired, but continued part time for 7 more years. He married Nancy Benkert on December 11, 1955.
Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy Spoerry; a son Jon (Sonali Candappa) Spoerry; two granddaughters, Isa and Dayani Spoerry; two brothers, Art Jr. (Clarice) Spoerry, Robert (Marian) Spoerry; sister-in-law Mary Miller; nephews, Jon (Carol) Rufenacht, Dave (Mary) Spoerry, Mike (Joan) Spoerry, Steve Spoerry; nieces, Marilyn Gleason, Melissa (Andy) Chapman, Cindi (Dennis) Messerli, and Jean (Jim) Boelke. He is further survived by great nieces and nephews, Terry (Jim) Faith and their children, Joel and Natalie, Mike (Chris) Rufenacht, Megan Miller, Kim (Matt) Peerenboom, Brent Spoerry, Amy (Justin) Thomas and their son Preston, Keith (Kathy) Spring, Jason (Angelica) Spoerry, Nickolai Spoerry, Laurie Ragatz, and Sally Hamus. Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Art and Eileen Spoerry; his in-laws, George and Anna Benkert; brothers-in-law, Ken Benkert, Harold (Betty) Rufenacht, and Charles Miller; and a nephew Steve Rufenacht.
Bill was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ where he served three years on the church and ministry committee and led an ushering team for several years. He was also a long time member of Monroe Lions Club; former member of Monroe Jaycees serving one term as secretary; and served on the Greenwood Cemetery Board of Directors. Bill, along with Jack Kundert and Dick Newcomer, were instrumental in developing a Saturday morning youth basketball program called the Little Cheesemakers. Bill proudly had the good fortune to develop his son's interest in basketball which carried throughout high school and four years on the U.W. Junior Varsity team. Bill was an avid sports fan and loved to follow the Packers, U.W. football and basketball, and the New York Yankees whom he saw play in the 1957 World Series. Bill enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Monroe Country Club for 52 years.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 11:00 A.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Monroe Country Club. There will be no visitation. For those who prefer, memorials are suggested to the Behring Senior Center Endowment Fund, National Historic Cheesemaking Center, or the charity of one's choice. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy Spoerry; a son Jon (Sonali Candappa) Spoerry; two granddaughters, Isa and Dayani Spoerry; two brothers, Art Jr. (Clarice) Spoerry, Robert (Marian) Spoerry; sister-in-law Mary Miller; nephews, Jon (Carol) Rufenacht, Dave (Mary) Spoerry, Mike (Joan) Spoerry, Steve Spoerry; nieces, Marilyn Gleason, Melissa (Andy) Chapman, Cindi (Dennis) Messerli, and Jean (Jim) Boelke. He is further survived by great nieces and nephews, Terry (Jim) Faith and their children, Joel and Natalie, Mike (Chris) Rufenacht, Megan Miller, Kim (Matt) Peerenboom, Brent Spoerry, Amy (Justin) Thomas and their son Preston, Keith (Kathy) Spring, Jason (Angelica) Spoerry, Nickolai Spoerry, Laurie Ragatz, and Sally Hamus. Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Art and Eileen Spoerry; his in-laws, George and Anna Benkert; brothers-in-law, Ken Benkert, Harold (Betty) Rufenacht, and Charles Miller; and a nephew Steve Rufenacht.
Bill was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ where he served three years on the church and ministry committee and led an ushering team for several years. He was also a long time member of Monroe Lions Club; former member of Monroe Jaycees serving one term as secretary; and served on the Greenwood Cemetery Board of Directors. Bill, along with Jack Kundert and Dick Newcomer, were instrumental in developing a Saturday morning youth basketball program called the Little Cheesemakers. Bill proudly had the good fortune to develop his son's interest in basketball which carried throughout high school and four years on the U.W. Junior Varsity team. Bill was an avid sports fan and loved to follow the Packers, U.W. football and basketball, and the New York Yankees whom he saw play in the 1957 World Series. Bill enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Monroe Country Club for 52 years.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 11:00 A.M., at St. John's United Church of Christ with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. A luncheon will follow at the Monroe Country Club. There will be no visitation. For those who prefer, memorials are suggested to the Behring Senior Center Endowment Fund, National Historic Cheesemaking Center, or the charity of one's choice. The Newcomer Funeral Home, Monroe, is assisting the family.
www.newcomerfuneralhome.net