William Kropp

MADISON, Wis. | William ("Bill") Kropp, age 86, departed life April 11, 2015. He leaves his wife Irene Kropp, daughter Jeane Kropp (Jay Laurie), brother Bob Kropp (Lois), sister Bette Halm (Walter: deceased), sister Ellen Galligan (Dan), sister-in-law Alberta Kinne (Richard), cousins Richard Kropp and Nancy McMahon (Bill), nineteen nieces and nephews, as well as many grand nieces and nephews. He also had his cherished grand dogs, Quattro and Mini.
Born in New York City and schooled in the Catholic school system, faith played a big role in Bill's life. Ask him about being an Alter Boy and stories would flow. Did you know he went to the same Catholic high school (Cardinal Hayes) as George Carlin? Of course you didn't. No one does. But it's cool.
Bill was drafted into the Korean conflict and served as a medic in the infantry. The GI bill allowed him to get a degree from Manhattan College ---quonset hut classrooms - Google it. After college, Bill worked in public accounting until he joined Wausau Insurance Company. During this time, he and Irene adopted their daughter Jeane. There's a great story about Bill driving about 10 miles an hour (um, in New York) while taking Jeane home, just to keep his new daughter safe.
A true New Yorker, Bill could tell you what was at the corner of X Ave and Y Street up until the end. He never lost his accent or his love of NY pizza. Bill moved the family from NY to WI to advance in his career at Wausau Insurance. He retired in 1992 and decided to spend some of retirement in North Carolina. Fairfield Harbour in New Bern NC was the place to be, as it had two golf courses and many kindred souls. The first six months of Bill and Irene's residence in New Bern uncovered so many other NY (and even the Bronx!), NJ and Midwestern natives that they gathered friends instantly. A warm hug to Marge and Ray, Vinnie, Ann and Rich, June and John, Henry and Nancy, Richard and Patricia, Mac, and Bill's poker buddies (he says you cheated) for being such wonderful friends.
A loving husband and father, Bill was an avid golfer and had a hole-in-one on four occasions. He appreciated books, gin martinis, music, theater and crazy mutt dogs. Oh, did we mention gin martinis? A sports fan he was, taking much joy in seeing the Packers play once from the warmth of a luxury box. And going to Joe DiMaggio's restaurant was a special thrill. He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and also a member of the American Legion. Bill had a long history of volunteering at hospitals, church and charity organizations.
Special thanks to Jen and the team in Memory Care at Golden Living in Beaver Dam. You were awesome.
If you are so inspired, please donate in memory of Bill to:
The MS Society: Wisconsin Chapter -- (his daughter has MS), any Alzheimer's/Dementia organization, or Dane County Humane Society. If you're Catholic, light a candle. He'd like that.
Love you dad.
To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.