Obit: Gates, Bill A. (1946 - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Gates, Flood, Brown, Neuman, Opelt

----Source: Buswell Funeral Home (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI) 6/10/2020

Gates, Bill A. (2 February 1946 – 8 June 2020)

Bill A. Gates, 74, of Black River Falls, passed away on June 8, 2020 at the Marshfield Medical Center, Palliative Care Unit, in Marshfield.

Bill was born February 2, 1946 in Neillsville, to Lloyd and Lorraine (Flood) Gates. He attended the Hatfield one-room school until It closed when he was in the 5th grade. He had fond memories of the Hatfield School. He then attended school in Black River Falls where he graduated in 1964.

He met Connie (Brown) in high school and they were married on August 7, 1965. They had two children, Jeff (Lois) Gates of Mosinee, and Wendy Jo (Tom) Neuman of Sparta, GA; two grandchildren, Rachel (Matt) of Stillwater, MN and Kyle (fiancé Halee) of Madison, and great-granddaughters Coralina Regina and Ophelia Luciana, Stillwater, MN.

Bill worked for Schultz Bros Co. for almost 25 years. This job took him throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana, ending with Bill being the VP of HR at the Schultz headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL. He opened the Greater Insurance Office in Black River Falls in 1993.

Bill was a member of Guardian Angels Parish, St. Joseph Church where he served on the Parish Council and was a Eucharastic Minister. He belonged to many service organizations over the years, including Past Officer of the BRF Lions Club, Past President of Skyline Golf Course, and Board Member of the Boys & Girls Club. Bill organized a charity golf open for 10 years which many charities benefitted from, including the Black River Falls Fire Dept, Dive Unit, DARE and the Boys & Girls Club.

Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He loved the hours he spent fishing & hunting with family. He especially enjoyed “deer camp” with his grandson, brothers & nephews. He also enjoyed the friendship of the “11:00 Coffee Group”.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, children, grandchildren and great-granddaughters, Bill is survived by his sister Betty (Dale) Opelt of Neillsville, brothers David (Barb) Gates of Merrillan, Larry (Brenda) Gates of Eau Claire, and Tim (Julie) Gates of Black River Falls, many nieces and nephews and special God-daughter Bobby Jo Gates of Eau Claire. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Due to Covid-19, private family services will be held at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, with burial at Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls. Memorials may be sent to Interfaith Caregivers, P.O. Box 354, Black River Falls, WI 54601.

This world is a better place because Bill Gates walked through it! He lovingly touched our hearts and our lives. It is a better place because, YES – he was the REAL BILL GATES.

You may express online condolences at www.Buswellfh.com.  Buswell Funeral Home is making the arrangements for Bill’s family.