William "Bill" Melchert

William "Bill" Melchert, 74, of Winter, Wis., formerly of Anchorage, died Tuesday, April, 26, 2011, at Flambeau Hospital in Park Falls, Wis.

Bill was born Jan. 26, 1937, in Winter, the son of Otto and Marion (Martin) Melchert. He grew up and attended school in Winter. In February 1956 he was united in marriage to Nancy Edmunds in Winter. They resided many places over the years, spending several years in Anchorage, Sutton and Fairbanks and also Spearfish, S.D. Bill had many occupations, including logging, sawmill owner/operator, and his biggest achievement was establishing General Trucking Parts and Service in Anchorage and Fairbanks. He began his business with a small shop and built it into one of the largest trucking parts and service shops in Alaska. Bill was a man of many hats. He enjoyed traveling, being on the go, his dogs "J" and Jo, the woods, revisiting old logging sites, big equipment, watching "The Idiot Box", old country music, babies and puppies, bumming with Tommy, Bob's peanut butter cookies, Mary's lemon meringue pie, and most of all his family.

He is survived by his son Robert J. (Mary) Melchert of Winter; daughter Darcie (Dave) Swanson of Prineville, OR; eight grandchildren, five great grandchildren; sister Ethel (Duane) Sundberg of Minnesota; sisters-in-law Caroline Melchert of Winter, Nancy Melchert of Las Vegas, Nev.; many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Nancy; son William "Billy; infant daughter; sisters Lorraine Keating, Ranelle Tressler, Betty Olson; brothers Otto "Jr." Melchert, Francis "Pole Cat" Melchert, James Melchert, Peter Melchert, Richard Melchert, Jack Melchert, Edwin Melchert.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Pineview Funeral Service in Hayward. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may directed to Flambeau Home Health & Hospice, 133 N. Lake Ave., Phillips, Wis. 54555. Pineview Funeral Service, Hayward, Wis., 715-634-4010.