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William G. "Bill" Artner

1937 - 2018

William G. "Bill" Artner obituary, 1937-2018, Milwaukee, WI

BORN

1937

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Feerick Funeral Home - Shorewood

2025 East Capitol Drive

Shorewood, Wisconsin

William Artner Obituary

Artner, William G. "Bill" Suddenly passed away at home on May 13, 2018, aged 81. Beloved husband of his wife Joy Artner. Dear brother-in-law of Steve (Dawn Coleman) and Mark (Barbara) Henderson of New Zealand. Further survived by other loving relatives and many friends. After a life of amazing accomplishments as a physicist, including working on the Apollo space mission, Bill was unexpectedly taken from us. He leaves behind a legacy of leadership and development in both aerospace and medical physics. He also leaves behind his best friend and partner in adventure, his adored wife Joy, with whom he traveled the world. He will be deeply missed. A private celebration of Bill's life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the World Wildlife Fund or to the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on May 20, 2018.
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Spouse

October 23, 2023

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October 23, 2023

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October 23, 2023

Spouse

October 23, 2023

October 23, 2023

Joy Artner

Spouse

October 3, 2023

Joy Artner

Spouse

October 3, 2023

Joy Artner

Spouse

October 3, 2023

Joy Artner

Spouse

October 3, 2023

Joy Artner

Spouse

October 3, 2023

Dear Joy,

I have always had fond memories of Bill who was my art teacher at Palmerston North Boy's High School when he first moved to Palmerston North .

Bill was an inspiring teacher who always left an impression on me .
I always remember admiring his Porsche 911 not a common car to see in rural New Zealand in the 1970's.

He did speak of his NASA involvment and I understood he was part of the big layoff after the space program slowed down.
Great man and many good memories from his classes.

I was the photographer for PNBHS and here is a photo of Bill from a sports day maybe 1970.

Best wishes.

Ross Funnell

School

June 27, 2023

Dear Joy, sorry for these belated condolances, Nick and I only found out that Bill had passed away. Sending our best wishes to you at this sad time. Tania Kopytko and Nick Watson, Palmerston North, New Zealand.

Tania Kopytko

Friend

June 11, 2018

So Sorry for your Loss. When I had occasion to work for Bill he always treated me and my crew with respect. I always enjoyed the conversations with him and hearing his stories from his travels.
I always enjoyed working for him. Rest in peace Bill.

PAUL RASMUSSEN

Acquaintance

May 31, 2018

I first met Bill when we were undergraduate physics students at the University of Mississippi way back in the early 1960s. Fortunately, we were able to maintain our friendship through the decades and through Bills moves around the country - and the world. My only regret about Bill is that he never moved to New York City, where I could have many more opportunities to enjoy his interests, intellect and incisive observations about a wide variety of things. You will be missed, Bill!

R. Wayne Parsons

Classmate

May 31, 2018

The first time we met Bill was Chief Medical Physicist in Palmerston North. Just starting out in the commercial world of radiation therapy was daunting enough and Bill cut a very intimidating figure. However, after only a few moments it was established that I knew very little and that he would be able to help me understand how everything worked. Once we also established a mutual love of both physics and motorcycles it was clear this was going to be a friendship with a solid foundation that indeed lasted over three decades. As the years went past there were many esoteric discussions on topics from the low rates of minimum wage through to string theory and everything in between. Despite not always agreeing (preferred brand of motorcycle a case in point!) there was never a cross word and Bills thoughts were always insightful. It was wonderful when he and Joy got together and their happiness grew immeasurably. Although I was sad to see them move to the US we still managed to get together regularly for dinner and wine throughout the US and NZ. September was meant to be a few days together in Queenstown and I was so looking forward to it. I was already compiling questions for Bill and feel a little lost with them unanswered.
Rest easy Bill, you will be missed by many for a very long time.

Richard and Josephine Neale

Richard Neale

Friend

May 28, 2018

It is with great sorrow that I write these words. I have known Bill for over 50 years and will miss him dearly. That being said, however, I have 50 years of cherished memories - from our early days as young men working on the space programs together, through Bill's departure to New Zealand and eventual return to the states 19 years later. It is with these memories that I will celebrate Bill's life. Bill was a great friend and always full of life.

As the years marched on we still managed intermittent visits with Bill and Joy even though we lived 2500 miles apart. I remember touring San Francisco and seeing Muir Woods with them, and their wonderful visits to our Mountain Retreat in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. We even got Joy on a snowmobile. Bill had no problem with that because of all his Bike riding. Bill even made a trip to go snow camping with the Mountain Boys - great fun.

So I say to Bill "Thank you for being my good friend and comrade". I will cherish these memories until the day I am gone. God bless, and who knows, maybe we'll meet and laugh once again in the afterlife.

Russ Sievers

Friend

May 28, 2018

I first met Bill not long after he and Joy got together. It was obvious to me that right from the start Bill made Joy happy. Unfortunately (for me) they soon buggered off to the U.S.A, before i got to know him really well.
So I always looked forward to their few trips back to New Zealand where i got to know Bill a little bit more. It wasnt till i spent time with them in U.S.A that I Got to really know Bill, which these memories I will always treasure in my heart. I have heard of the many great and good things that he has achieved and done in his life. But by far the greatest and best thing that Bill has done was to make my sister the happiest woman in the world..
Love and treasure out memories forever
R.I.P Bill

Steve Henderson

Family

May 28, 2018

I so appreciate everyones kind words, stories & rememberences... they truly comfort, thank you

Joy Artner

Spouse

May 24, 2018

I made my relationship with Bill, though when we travelled we used our middle names so George, on Eleanor and my Honeymoon. Leading up to Joy (Mav) and George's arrival I wondered how I would be able to spend a week on a small yacht in the Whitsundays, Qld with a rocket scientist. As it turned out this is when I became Georges student. Learnt a lot from our many trips to different parts of the world like New Zealand, Kakado National Park - Australia and Bondi, Tanzania, Vancouver, New Mexico and so on. My Eleanor always likes the first encounter George and I had in Nara Inlet, Hook Island, Whitsunday Group, Queensland, Australia. After throwing prawn shells into the water it lit up amazingly wow I said phosphorescence, no says George it's just reflection from the stars. I had heard of this but never seen it before. So after throwing many buckets of water into the sea water and consuming a few Malibu and pineapple juices he still wasn't convinced so off to the head (toilet) where we could blockout any stars with a bucket of sea water. Not much room in that space but George managed to fit as he had to have absolute proof before he would believe. We met a Marine Biologist later that week who told us it is bioluminescence from phytoplankton. George always the scientist and a man and a teacher. George taught our little dog, Bosun quite a complicated trick over a few days and it's the only trick he does without food being the motivator. Rest In Peace, William George.

Phillip Cunningham

Student

May 23, 2018

I first met Joy in Palmerston North Radiotherapy and it was there the love with Bill blossomed before our eyes. That crazy lifestyle farmer cum physicist with a heart of gold, an amazing intellect, perfectionist and so much knowledge on everything. The two of them fitted together like 2 peas in a pod and life continued to be like that for them. Able to support each other to the max. We cant imagine how tough it must be for you Joy. Loving thoughts always. xx Carol Wilson

carol Wilson

Friend

May 23, 2018

It only feels like yesterday when we met Bill and instantly recognised his love for Joy and their life together, which over the years only continued to deepen.

Bill introduced us to Mozart, Beethoven, Richard Feynman and many other interesting things about the world, how it works, and how to enjoy life. To this day I am still partial to a Dry Martini or three.

We will never forget the early Ducati Paso trips to our house at Paraparaumu Beach, good times together there and how Joy would sleep on their return evening rides to Palmerston North.

As Bill & Joy made arrangements to leave NZ for Milwaukee it was our honour to witness the marriage of these two people who loved each other unconditionally.

Although in the years since all of us have travelled the world we never felt distant and enjoyed the good times when we did manage to get together in Bill & Joy's home, Quebec, and London.

We will miss Bill, his wit, intellect and always youthful world view.

"Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn't matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough." Richard Feynman

Sue & Martyn Wright

Friend

May 22, 2018

While I only met Bill a couple of time on Bill and Joy's visits to Sydney my mother Evie loved Bill very much, not least of all because of his intellect, humour, passion for life and love of Joy . . . and the occasional crossword clue guidance. My son Hugo, who is studying physics and maths was keen to meet Bill but we didn't quite get there. He'll remain an inspiration for many. We are so very fortunate to have share just a small part of this wonderful man's life.

Jaqui Lane

Friend

May 22, 2018

I have always told people that Bill is the "most interesting man in the world." His stories about his experiences while he worked on the Apollo missions for NASA are things I only dreamed of growing up in the 60's. I remember a conversation at dinner where everyone began discussing where they were when the astronauts walked on the moon. Everybody had little recollections of being with friends or family. I clearly recall playing with my cousins at my Uncle Mondo and Aunt Beverly's house until Mondo yelled "Shut up!" We all paused and he told us, "I want to see the man walk on the moon." Suddenly there was a quiet voice saying, "I was in the control room. That was the best day of my life." Everyone stopped. That is what a modest man Bill was. We did talk him into sharing those experiences last summer with some of his memorabilia.
Bill was also a kind, generous friend. He and Joy saved me from spending Christmas Day alone during the first year after my divorce. My kids were with their dad. Joy and Bill had me and my dog, Princess over for an eight course dinner that included a bottle of wine with each course. Princess and Kiri, Joy and Bill's dog were both young pups who spent the early part of the evening barking at each other. We refer to that Christmas as "Bark the Herald Angels Sing."
I will miss Bill very much.

Jane Meythaler-Jankowski

Jane and Jim Jankowski

Friend

May 21, 2018

What can we say about Bill? A man with warm heart, a loving and devoted husband, striking intellect, a biker (Ducati of course) and a man we will always consider a true friend. Bill will be sadly missed by everyone who was fortunate enough to have known him. I first met Bill when he was the Radiation Oncology physicist in Palmerston North, New Zealand and this is where he met the love of his life - my colleague and wonderful friend Joy. The 2 of them were a perfect match and we have been fortunate enough to stay with them both in NZ and at their home in the USA. As fellow travellers their regular travel updates, always with a touch of culture and history, great food and wine were inspiring. They clearly loved each other and had such fun together! Thank you to all Joy and Bills friends, including the amazing Eleanor, for supporting Joy through this incredibly difficult time. Kia Kaha dear friend
Fiona & Korry Ritsma

Fiona & Korry Ritsma

Friend

May 18, 2018

We all go back a long way and over the years have shared lots of ups and downs (and arounds - remeber the Lake Waikaremoana track!!) and come out of it (mostly) laughing. Through it all we've remained friends, and a lot of that is probably down to Bill being a steady and stable presence who loved Joy unconditionally, and by extension, the rest of us. We had such a good trip with you last year and those goats on the roof kind of summed up the crazy bit of Bill's personality. Scott loved talking motorbikes with you and every time we see a Ducati we'll remember you Bill. Ka kite ano.

Bev and Scott

May 17, 2018

What a guy!
We go back a few years: I worked with Bill (& Joy) when he lived in New Zealand (Palmerston North hospital), such an intelligent man with a sharp mind & wit. My father provided hay for Bill's goats (milking herd). My dear friend Joy married Bill while I was living in Hong Kong. What a good match, love of fine wine & food, travel & intellectual equals. I know Joy will draw strength from all their wonderful traveling adventures together both within USA & overseas and how much Bill loved her.
Much respect & love to you.
Deb Morriss & Vic Allen (Wellington, New Zealand)

Debra Morriss

Friend

May 17, 2018

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