Zigmund, William "Bill"
William John "Bill" Zigmund, 71, Allouez, died early Saturday morning, March 8, 2014, following a four year battle with cancer. He was born in Manitowoc on July 21, 1942, to Edmund and Ella (Guelsdorf) Zigmund. Bill graduated from Manitowoc High School in 1960, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Master of Arts in Education from the University of Wisconsin Madison, and his Master of Science from Bowdoin College. On June 13, 1970, he married the former Audrey Sheble in Choteau, Montana.
As a dedicated educator and coach for over four decades, Bill touched many lives. He taught math at Green Bay West High School from 1966 until his retirement in 2001, and was the first teacher to be certified to teach computer science in the State of Wisconsin. Bill received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Milwaukee School of Engineering , served as a member of the Green Bay School Board, and was President of the Green Bay Education Association in 1971. He coached tennis at West, Preble, and Southwest High Schools until his health would not allow. Bill was inducted into the Brown County Tennis Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Tennis Coach Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Audrey Zigmund, Allouez; two daughters, Shannon (Derrick) Hoffmann, Prior Lake, MN; Kelsey Zigmund, Minneapolis, MN; his brother brother, Robert Zigmund, Manitowoc and one nephew, Bob (Jen) Zigmund, Chicago, IL.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Edmund and Ella Zigmund; a brother, Jim Zigmund and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leonard and Helen Sheble.
Friends may call at the Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday. Visitation will continue from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church, 501 Howe St. A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the church with Rev. David Wilkinson officiating. A memorial fund has been established in his name. To send on-line condolences,visit www.prokowall.com.
The Zigmund family extends a special thank you to the compassionate and caring staffs at Green Bay Oncology and the UW Madison Hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Bill Zigmund was not only a Master Teacher; he was a special person respected by everyone; miss him Big Time and think of him so often. Mike Goymerac
Mike Goymerac
School
March 3, 2022
Mr. Zigmund was my all time favorite teacher. He inspired me to become a Computer Science major at the University of Minnesota which led to a 30 plus year career in Information Technology.
Mark Jahn
Student
January 2, 2017
Mr. Zigmund was my favorite teacher. I graduated from West in 78. He took interest in his students. He guided them in math and science and I did also learn life lessons from him. Judy Davidson
April 6, 2014
Bill Z was my math teacher in 1971 at West High. As a result of his math teaching I able to move on and minor in Math at UW Eau Claire.
My condolensces on his passing.
Mark Skaleski
Andover, NJ
March 20, 2014
Sorry for your loss. He was my math teacher, mid 70's.
Gail
March 17, 2014
I'm very sorry for your family's loss. Mr. Zigmund was one of my favorite teachers at West High back in the late 1970s. Not only a great math teacher, but a real pioneer in recognizing and teaching the importance of computers. The Green Bay authorities were talking about cutting out computer instruction as a money-saving measure, one year before it took off as a "must have" national trend. I think he played a role in arguing against that and saving the program, and saving everybody from embarrassment in the process. He helped me with independent studies in math and computers, and was a great calculus instructor. He will be missed.
Mike McCully
March 12, 2014
Coach Ziggy, an inspiration to all. Was a terrific coach for our Preble Hornets team. Even through his health struggles, he would still do everything he could to coach the squad. I appreciate you way more than I ever expressed, Coach. Thank you for everything.
Mason Mattila
March 12, 2014
Mr. Zigmund was one of my favorite teachers and also the advisor for the math club. He helped me get through calculus and always was willing to share his sage advice. "Diamond, if you just apply yourself, you'll amount to something." My prayers and thoughts go out to his family.
Carrie Diamond
March 11, 2014
Great H.S. classmate & tennis player. My prayers, sympathy, & thoughts are with family members.
Joe Dempsky
March 11, 2014
Bill Zigmund was huge to me...he allowed me to be an individual. He gave me the space to be a non-conformist. He allowed me to be on his tennis team. He inspired me to be better.Even though at times I was my own worst enemy, I was fortunate to make it to levels in tennis that few achieve...Although I have nor seen or talked to "Ziggy" in several years, I will miss him...My heart and prayers go out to his surviving family...
Joe Risk
March 10, 2014
My condolences to the Zigmund family and to all the Green Bay crew. Bill was a great teacher, friend, neighbor, husband and father. He will be missed. Brian Snyder
March 10, 2014
Audrey and family our condolences on your loss. Bill had a tremendous impact on those he coached and taught. We'll miss seeing him in Skyline park on our way to Lambeau. My cousin Bill is probably helping him set up a match in heaven.
Dave & Connie Van Lieshout
March 10, 2014
Audrey, I am so very sorry for your tremendous loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jeanne Wright-Brusky
March 10, 2014
Thank you Mr. Z. You were a great teacher who really cared about his students. I'll always remember you and still hear your voice when I'm playing tennis! (geeeez Amy keep your eye on the ball!) Thank you Mr. Z, you will be missed. My sympathy goes out to your family at this sad time.
Amy Hannon
March 10, 2014
Coach Z.... You were a great coach and teacher. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Zigmund family.
Cindi (Burg)Hanson class 1990.
March 10, 2014
The Manitowoc County Tennis Community extends our sympathy to the Zigmund family.
Steve Mirsberger
March 10, 2014
Mr Zigmund was a wonderful teacher who always made math a great lesson. He was always one of my favorite teachers. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.
March 10, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. U will be miss Mr. Z u where a great tennies coach to me if it was not for u I would of never kept playing. RIP MR.Z
samantha fields (reynolds)
March 10, 2014
May the peace of Christ be with you all now and always. Mr Z was an inspiration to me in highschool! He could truly spark a childs interest in math and life. My sympathy to your family for your loss.
Mary (Wittlinger) Lasee
March 10, 2014
Mr. Zigmund was a great teacher and wonderful person. He had a knack as a teacher for making you feel comfortable when you didn't understand something. He was a role model to so many students. God bless his family during this time.
Patty Hirthe
March 10, 2014
So sorry for your loss, Zigmund family! May he rest in peace.
Lynn (Schmutzler) Rotter
March 10, 2014
You helped inspire me to become the teacher I am today! I have shared your wisdom with my students for nearly 20 years, and have thought often of the lessons I learned in calculus, both the math ones and the ones about life. Thank you, and God bless.
Deanna (Watts) Konop
March 9, 2014
Inspirational role model to all students he came in contact with. Bless his immediate family, friends, and all of those he touched.
Carrie Norton
March 9, 2014
My husband, Allen, always held Bill as a good friend and a great teacher. They met in Manitowoc and continued a friendship here in Green Bay. Bill leaves many good memories for us and for many others. Mrs. Allen Peterson
March 9, 2014
Most inspirational teacher, wonderful role model. Truly sad to hear this news.
March 9, 2014
Mr Zigmund was one of my favorite teachers of all time. I knew him for 4 years at West High as the math club advisor, my teacher for calculus and computer, and the announcer at track meets. He was patient with students who struggled and joyous when students discovered how fun math and computers could be.
The world is a better place because he was in it. We who had the chance to have him impact our lives were lucky, no matter how long or brief the contact.
Bless you, Mr Zigmund. You will be missed and remembered.
Claudia (Albers) Ziegler
March 9, 2014
You were a wonderful teacher and will remain in the hearts of so many!
Kathy T.
March 9, 2014
It was a pleasure to teach with Bill at West. He was respected by all of us. He gave his all for his students and for West. He will be sorely missed. God bless him.
Jerry Yaedke
March 9, 2014
Rest in peace.
Josh Wallner
March 9, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to all of his family, he will truly be missed
Michael W
March 9, 2014
I'm glad I got to share some of my appreciation for Mr. Zigmund as my teacher and a role model with a brief visit in person during his recent hospitalization. I am also glad to have gotten a glimpse of the love and respect he so clearly has from his family. Audrey, you are so strong!
I like to tell people about Mr. Z's chalkboards lining his room walls. He'd start in one corner and work his way around the room showing us how solve a proof. It was like you were in his head with him. Magical! I loved calculus. Math team captain, two years in a row! Thank you Mr. Zigmund! He made such a great difference in my life. I wish peace to his family.
Michelle Gigot Puent
March 9, 2014
I had Mr. Zigmund for one class, fourteen years ago. He taught me calculus, but he also gave me great advice. I still frequently follow his wisdom today. I am grateful to have known him. May he rest in peace.
Sandra Kohlmann
March 9, 2014
Sending prayers and thoughts to the Zigmund family during this difficult time. Mr. Z was a inspiring coach and teacher who impacted many lives. He will be missed!
Rachael R
March 9, 2014
So sorry to hear about the loss of Mr. Zigmund. Sending thoughts and prayers to the entire family during this difficult time.
Amanda (Richter) Hetrick
March 9, 2014
Mr. Zigmund was easily one of my favorite teachers, not only at Green Bay West but of all time. May he rest in piece.
Joshua
March 9, 2014
Ziggy was a school friend of mine in Manitowoc, particularly in Jr. High School. In addition to many shared classes, we also were in orchestra (I bet many of you didn't know he once played violin and was rather good at it.) We were both in the Roger Tory Peterson Bird Club there, both mentored by Miss Pickett, a teacher who undoubtedly influenced Bill. We were also charter members in 7th grade of a chess club. Bill regularly beat the pants off of me, I don't think I ever won a game from him, yet I could beat almost everyone else in the club. When I mentioned this to Miss Pickett, she said "Well, Jon, Bill has a very mathematical mind, well suited to the logic of chess. You have a literary mind and aren't particularly logical (True. History bore that out.) My son later had a girlfriend from Green Bay and some friends of her's stayed with us in Maryland to prep for a nursing test. Both girls went to West High and one was on the tennis team and told me they held him in the highest regard as a teacher and coach.This was over 25 years after our paths diverged after high school and college.
Jon Teske
March 9, 2014
Audrey, Thinking of you and the girls at this very difficult time. Praying you will all feel God' s arms around each of you, giving you strength and peace!
Judi Lofquist
March 9, 2014
I will always be grateful to Mr. Zigmund for teaching/coaching me the lifelong sport of tennis. Thoughts and prayers to the Zigmund family
Dawn Pierce
March 9, 2014
As an educator of forty-four years, I had the opportunity to work directly with Bill Zigmund and they simply do not come any better. Unequivocally he was The Best and students respected him above and beyond. To the Zigmund family, I say Bill's memories will be treasured forevermore and his presence will become part of our fabric. God Bless.
Mike Goymerac
March 9, 2014
While my first reaction to reading of the passing of Mr. Zigmund, math teacher extraordinaire, was one of sadness, the memories I recalled of "Ziggy" slowly brought a smile to my face. He was my calculus teacher in my senior year, and made it cool to be good at math. Of course, the fact that he was a sports-minded person didn't hurt, either. He made me feel "non-nerdy" as the president of the math club (although my family might find that hard to believe :))and even convinced me to organize and preside the first West High academic banquet honoring those who reached high achievement in various fields of academia. He always offered to stay after school to help with any type of problem.
Later in life whenever I'd run into him, he would always offer a heart felt "Hi Roz," the conversation would inevitably turn to sports, usually UW sports.
With a tip of the hat and a raising of the glass, I salute a one-of-a-kind teacher, coach and friend. And Audrey and family, may peace be with you.
Don Roznowski
March 9, 2014
I started out in a school for the physically disabled was mainstreamed at 5th grade with a background of just 4 weeks 4th grade math. I had Mr Zigmund for Algebra at West High I graduated in 1977 I had to pass Algebra to Fullfill Math requirement to Graduate I would not have been able to pass Algebra if Mr Zigmund had not taught so well My sympathies in your loss
steve kolf
March 9, 2014
I met Coach Zigmund 5 years ago at my first Tennis Camp at Southwest, when I was in 5th grade. I am now a Freshman at Southwest, and made the tennis team, because of Coach Zigmund, who always told me when he first taught me, he believed in me, I could do it, he never gave up on me. Even when he became ill, he did not let cancer define him. He continued to come to our practices and cheer us on. When I saw him last, I hugged him and thanked him for all his support. When he smiled, it was encouragement, when sometimes I felt like I didn't fit in, or I did not play as well as others, his thumbs up made me know, I could be someone on the tennis court. The 4 Amigo's as I call them, Coach Zigmund, Coach Nelson, Coach Simon & Coach Tanner, have been all inspiring to me. I wanted to let The Zigmund family know, how much the past 5 years, I have known Coach meant to me. He will truly be missed. He will never be forgotten. When I play on the court, in memory of him, I will give him the thumb's up with a smile to heaven and play my best for him. Blessings to your family, and just know to heal your heart, what a difference he made in my life.
Olivia Crooks
March 9, 2014
Shannon & Zigmund Family:
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Patrick & Allison Rafferty
March 9, 2014
Mr. Zigmund was one of those teachers and coaches you never forget. He expected more out of us than we expected of ourselves, he pushed us hard, praised us often and always left us with words of encouragement at the end of the day. He spoke fondly of his daughters in the lessons he shared and his legacy of learning lives on in the hundreds he taught. Thank you to his family for sharing him with us. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Stacy Anderson
March 9, 2014
Oh the memories we have to cherish...gourmet dinners with the group..."the shirt" which my son Greg still has...27 straight Christmas Eves spent together...Bill's touching words at Shannon's wedding. This was a guy of grit, humor and substance. He has left a legacy and a wonderful family. We will miss him along with so many others he touched.
Chuck Snyder
March 9, 2014
Mr. Zigmund was a favorite teacher of mine that took a special interest in my academic and athletic success. He will be fondly remembered by many. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Heather Odness Benson
March 8, 2014
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