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William Greiten Obituary
March 11, 1940 - September 11, 2024
William E. Greiten, age 84 of Townsend, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, with family by his side. Coach Greiten was born on March 11, 1940, to the late William and Alice (Dougherty) Greiten in Milwaukee. He graduated from Pius XI High School with the class of 1958, earned a degree in Economics from Regis University in Denver, Colo. and later earned his Master's in high school administration from Northeast Missouri State. On July 22, 1967, Bill married Mary Ellen Seifert at Our Lady of Sorrows in Milwaukee. He started his teaching career at St. Pius X Grade School, then moved to high school, first at St. Catherine's High School, then J. I. Case High School, both in Racine. Known to most as Coach, Bill taught history, then economics and coached track and cross country at both schools.
Coach was passionate about his teams and believed in developing good human beings, not just great athletes. He cared through discipline and commitment, and continued to be a part of many of his athletes' lives long after they competed for him. His proudest coaching moments were not championships, but when athletes realized their goals and worked as a team to accomplish great things. Over the years, Coach and his teams won numerous conference championships and five state titles. His influence was impactful and resulted in him being named to the J. I. Case High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, as well as the Racine County Sports Hall of Fame.
After his retirement in 1995, Bill and Mary Ellen moved to Townsend. During this time, he coached track at Gillett High School and was the driving force behind the creation of Gillett's cross country program. Coach continued to help athletes find success in athletics and in life, something he took great pride in. He volunteered for the Riverview Fire Department and was an active member of the Lions Club and recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. He enjoyed the tranquility of living in the Northwoods and spending time outdoors hunting and fishing. Coach was an avid reader, enjoying anything historic or western related.
While it was evident he was an amazing coach, he was an even better father and grandfather. His family loved being part of his coaching life, always surrounded by an extended family. Coach was incredibly proud of his daughters and granddaughters, telling everyone about them and their accomplishments.
Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen; two daughters, Tracy (Jeff Plucker) Greiten and Terri (Dan Deprey) Greiten Deprey; four granddaughters, Abby and Cami Greiten, and Lilly and Aubrie Deprey; sister, Sue Greiten; and brother, John (Kathleen) Greiten. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held for Bill at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Oconto Falls, Wis. on Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m. A Celebration of Life open house will be held at the UW Parkside Student Center on Sunday, October 6, 2024 from 12 to 3 p.m. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of St. Clare Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care and compassion offered to Coach and his family during their time of need.
Gruetzmacher Funeral Home
116 South Krueger Street, P.O. Box 223, Suring, WI 54174
(920) 842-2151
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Memories and Condolences
for William Greiten
5 Entries
Jim Vollmer
January 5, 2025
Deepest sympathy to the family. I apologize, not learning of Bill's passing until today, Jan. 5.
So sorry. He was a very good man.
I met him through coaching.
Jim Vollmer, Campbellsport
Mrs. Cheryl McCrary
October 1, 2024
Our heart felt prayers and condolences are extended to Mary Ellen, and all of Bill's family. My siblings and I went to Case High school, and active in both track and cross country. I enjoyed running in the girls track and cross country teams along with my younger sister, that was coached by Otha Frazier. My brother also ran in the men's track and cross country team, coached by Bill Greiten. There was a special bond of camaraderie and great memories we had, with our dedicated coaches and fellow athletes. May the Lord shower all of the family with His peace and comfort. Psalm 23
Don Lloyd
September 25, 2024
To the family my heart goes out to you. Was a great man,worked with him on Student Conflict Committee in 78-79 at Case during a difficult time in student relations (fights).Gave a hand full of students directions in getting our school back in order and restoring dount break. Set up meeting.with middle schools from there concerns of what they would encounter in the years to come in high school. Great job coach!! My prayers are with you all. Great man!!
Mike Ptaschinski
September 23, 2024
Mike Ptaschinski from Salt Lake City, Utah, wrote on Sep. 23, 2024
I was a student of Bill's at St. Catherine's in the winter of '67-'68. We didn't have all the electives that schools do now, but we did have Coach Greiten's typing class. I didn't really want to sign up for it, as it was dominated by girls and, at that time, not the most masculine course to take. But my parents, my wrestling coach Jim Welsh, and Bill talked me into it. They impressed upon me the rising importance of the keyboard, how typing would help me in college, writing letters home, etc. I remember those timed typing tests, determining how many words-per-minute you could knock out. Two other guys in the class & I would be lucky to hit 20, while all the girls would knock out 40 or more. But Bill helped me hang in there, and it paid off in college as I was one of few guys who knew how to type. More importantly, I saw Coach Greiten as a true professional, prepared every day, firm but fair, and one who asked how I was doing outside the classroom. Whenever I came back to visit Racine, I always inquired about him, hearing he was somewhere up north. I wish I could have thanked him for the personal interest he took in me.
Stephen Nover
September 22, 2024
I ran track and cross-country for Horlick High School in the early 1970's and then later covered some of Coach Greiten's cross-country and track teams as a sportswriter for the Racine Journal-times in the mid-to-late 1970's. I don't think I ever respected and admired a coach as much as Coach Greiten. I actually wanted my family to move to the Case High School district so I could run for Coach Greiten. He was a great coach and a great man. Even though I moved away from Wisconsin by the early 1980's, I always remembered Coach Greiten and the commitment and lessons about running and life he imparted. I still recall covering a cross-country race involving Case and running with Coach Greiten to keep up and getting his expert commentary. I'm very sad to reading of his passing, but I know he lived a long and fulfilling life. RIP to a great human being whose life touched so many.
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