Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1933
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
William Wurster Obituary
Bill was awarded a full college scholarship to Yale University where he played football and graduated with a Master's Degree in Education. He taught high school history & economics at Menomonee Falls North (currently East) High School for 35 years.
He married Deborah Douglas in August 1956 and they had 3 children where they lived in West Bend for most of their lives. Bill coached high school football, tennis and debate.
His career path took him through the ranks of teacher, department chairman, and administration. He was also active in the Wisconsin teachers union. "Willie" as he was fondly called, was an accomplished carpenter and designed and built three homes and filled them with handmade furniture. He loved hiking in the Rocky Mountains, camping, backpacking and exploring the US & Canadian national parks and historical sites. He was a vibrant athletic man who enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, biking, racquet ball, tennis, snorkeling, skiing, canoeing, sailing, as well as a variety of YMCA activities including Wallyball, Racquetball, Volleyball and fitness classes.
William is survived by his wife of 60 years, Deborah, and their three children Katrina (Thomas) Hafeman of Adell, Douglas Wurster of Portland, OR and Erika (Mark) Hanson ofPortland, OR, 3 grandchildren Tony Lutz, Tess Hafeman, Beth Hafeman and 2 great grandchildren Max and Maggie Lutz.
There will be a small private service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cedar Home Health and Hospice.
The Schmidt Funeral Home of West Bend is serving the family. On-line guestbook and condolences available at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.
Memories and Condolences
for William Wurster
Bob Dixon
May 18, 2024
Bill was a great guy & we were lucky to have him team with Badger Trekkers and introduce many students to the extraordinary experience of the wyoming big horn & Bridger wilderness.
We discovered a WW2 air force plane that crashed in 1944 after a climb to 11,000 after spotting a reflection that could only be aluminum or glass. Bill was a very significant part of many lives.
Jeff Lewiston
January 4, 2017
Please accept my sympathy on your loss. He was a great guy and a fantastic and caring teacher. He knew how to engage students and make them think. I worked with him at Falls North from the late 70's till North closed in '84. He was my first Department Chairperson and I learned a lot from him. In my mind I can still see him working away in the Social Studies Office in the back of the library at North. A tremendous intellect, I remember some great discussions about the issues of the time. He had a lasting impact on so many. Again, my sympathies.
Greg Tyson
December 30, 2016
Sad news. My sympathies go out to Deb and the family. He was a loving husband, Father and GrandFather as well as a great teacher to many. Most of all, he was a fantastic person. We who came in contact with him were made better people for it.
Andrea (Sutherland) Kenter
December 27, 2016
Our parent's lives were so intertwined for so many years. I am so saddened to hear this news and send you all hugs from afar. I will raise a glass of Fresca in Bill's memory - he was a very talented man.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Dawn Wellinger Dewane
December 27, 2016
Please accept my deepest sympathies. Mr. Wurster was one of my favorite teachers in high school. I have fond memories of him and his class. Wishing you God's blessings and peace-
Patty Rusch Duffey
December 25, 2016
So sorry to hear this. Mr Wurster was well liked when I knew him at Falls North in the 70s. Condolences to his family.
Brian J. Schmidt
December 25, 2016
When I was a freshman at North, there was a backpacking club called "Badger Trekkers"(not associated with the school), the summer before my freshman yr, I went on a 2wk backpacking trip to the Bighorn Mtns in Wyoming with the Badger Trekkers...Bill Wurster was the advisor for the group...he was one of my favorite teachers, and a great person away from school as well...
Barbara Gremminger-Stelloh
December 25, 2016
So sorry to see the passing of Mr. Wurster. He was my US History teacher @ Memomonee Falls High School,Class of 1961. He was an incredible teacher. Treated us as adults made learning an adventure. Loved when he wore his Yale sweater to class. My sympathies to his wife and family. He will never be forgotten by so many.God Bless
Jeff Roider
December 25, 2016
Mr. Wurster was my Economics instructor at Menomonee Falls High School my Senior year in 1969.
On of the few Economics instructors I had in my education experience that made total sense of the subject and made you want to seek a greater understanding.
Our youth today needs more of this special type of individual.
My sincere condolences to family and friends.
Paula Dabel
December 24, 2016
Mr. Wurster what an awesome teacher whom I greatly admired. He understood Economics and I learned so much in his class. He thought outside the box and he made us do the same.
Thom Lange
December 24, 2016
I am sorry to hear this news. Willy was one of my favorite teachers and coaches. He was an an incredible role model. I will always remember his laugh and his wonderful ties!
December 24, 2016
I'm sorry to see the passing of a really good friend. Sharon and I send our sympathies to the whole family. I will miss him. Mike Schulz
Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results