William ‘Bill’ Paul Goetsch, age 84, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, September 13, 2021 at the Aspirus Wausau Hospital.
He was born on September 5, 1937 in the town of Corning, Lincoln County, to the late Ronald and Lillie (Radtke) Goetsch. Bill graduated from Concordia College in Nebraska with a bachelor’s degree in education. He taught elementary school for 35 years, 7 years in the Milwaukee area and 28 years in Cornell, WI. Bill was a teacher in general studies, specializing in math. Besides teaching for 35 years, Bill also worked 12 summers with the DNR, worked on income taxes for six years, was the CEO/treasurer of a credit union for eight years and owned and operated a small motel for 19 years. Bill was very active in his church and his faith in God was strong. He is remembered as a man that was quiet yet enjoyed telling his life story to anyone that would listen, playing games, putting puzzles together and working on Suduko and wordsearch puzzles. Bill was always proud of the fact that he and Judy were able to visit all 50 states in their short time together. He was a caring and loving man that was a wonderful husband and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Bill married Jurnell Timm in 1960 and had two sons, Paul (Dorgene) Goetsch and Peter Goetsch; four grandchildren: Samantha Fiero, with her daughters: Eliza and Brielle McGinley; Amelia (Nick) Hedberg, with daughter: Gabrielle; Tyler Goetsch and Mollie Pester, with daughter: Scarlette Diaz. Jurnell preceded him in death in 2005. In 2012, Bill married Judith Ranta Menge and inherited a new family, including a son, Steve (Robbin) Ranta, with their daughters, Jennifer and Sarah; daughter, Lynn (Jon) Woller, two granddaughters, Katie (Carl) Wirth, with their children: Sawyer, Effie, Peter and Jalaine and Krista (Clark) Bauer. He is further survived by sister-in-law, Jean Goetsch and many cousins, as well as nieces, nephews, their children, and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Jurnell and two brothers, Ronald and Harold.
A Memorial Service for Bill will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in the town of Berlin. Rev. Andrew DeGier will officiate. A luncheon will take place in the basement of the church, following the service. There will be no visitation prior to the service. Inurnment of Bill’s cremated remains will take place at a later date in the Maple Grove Cemetery, town of Maine.
A recording of Bill’s service will be available for viewing on the funeral home’s website, under his obituary. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name may be directed to the Northland Lutheran High School or the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, town of Berlin. Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.