William J. Beres

William Beres Obituary

Beres, William J. William Beres, 91, of Milwaukee died November 9, 2006 of old age. Bill was born March 10, 1915, to Barney and Barbara Beres and was a lifelong resident of Bay View (and for older Bay Viewites, he ran on Bill Mathei's championship cross country teams in the early 1930's). Bill served for five years in the Army Air Corps during World War II, having been drafted three months before Pearl Harbor, and achieved the rank of sergeant. In 1946, he married Jane Strommen and returned to work at Wrought Washer, from where he retired with more than forty years of service. Bill was then asked to temporarily fill in as the director of maintenance at Hillview Nursing Home where his wife Jane worked (and continues to work at age 85!). That "temporary" job lasted eight years, and it was at Hillview where Bill spent his final year of life some twenty-five years later (and we do thank the good folks at Hillview for the care "Mr. B" received). Bill enjoyed playing the squeeze box and piano "by ear", eating candy and nuts and fishing up North with his brothers. He also made a mean beef soup. Bill is survived by wife Jane, his son Bill (Dorie), his daughter Susan (Lee) Olver and his daughter Sally Noldin, his grandchildren Leah (Brian), Bill Mike (Sara), Nikki, Lauren and Jenny and his great-granddaughters Olivia and Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bern (Goldie), his brother Steve (Betty), his sister Betty, his brother Frank (Dorothy), his sister Julia (Charlie) Leranth, his brothers John, Elmer and Eddie (who died in World War II) and the family's good friend Joe Decesari. At his request, Bill was cremated without visitation or services but will remain a warm memory in the hearts of those who survive him. SUMINSKI FAMILY FUNERAL HOMES Niemann / Suminski (414) 744-5156

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Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Nov. 15, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for William Beres

12 Entries

Nikki Noldin

December 14, 2006

Dear Boppy,
Its hard for me to imagine that you are gone from this life because all the memories I have of you are keeping you alive in my heart. From Birthdays and Christmases to the Uncles and fishing, my memories with you expand well for my 22 years of age. I'll never forget the way you'd mash up my carrots and potatoes for your Sunday Soup, it was by far my favorite treat that you made. (Along with cottage cheese or eggs with noodles).

I have so many favorite times with you that I'd need 20 pages to fit them all! But one would be in the gazebo. I remember sitting on that swing with you for hours at a time. I have never felt so relaxed and just happy.

I also loved it when you played piano and sang to Jenny and me. I felt so special because I never had someone who could play the piano and sing. (especially in such a meaningful way)

But by far my most favorite memory of you was when we would go to bed upstairs. I would take one twin bed and you would take the other. We would hold hands until I fell asleep. I never felt more special in my life.

I love you Boppy and always will. You are forever in my heart and I am looking forward to seeing you and the uncles in the (distant) future.

Joe and Linda Konradt

November 28, 2006

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.

Bill Beres

November 25, 2006

It's not easy to say goodbye to a dad but having had him for 56 years I know how lucky I've been. Lucky to be brought up in a home where I and my sisters knew we were loved and never felt an insecurity. Lucky to have grown up with an extended family of grandpas, grandmas, uncles, aunts and cousins on both mom and dad's side of the family that was the envy of our childhood friends. Lucky to have grown up in an atmosphere of expectation that we would go to college and succeed without ever feeling pressured to do so. Lucky to have been exposed to a dad, his brothers, and later my father-in-law who all served their country, as the greatest generation, yet who all grew up through the depression in very poor circumstances to become strong, hard working and good men who never expected too much but who always gave of themselves. Lucky to be smart like my dad and marry a nurse. Lucky to have had good, decent, caring wonderful kids whose character was molded by parents whose own characters were molded by their own parents (you did good dad!). Dad was not a rah rah, let's play catch man yet he was always there for us kids in the form of swings, a sandbox that was the envy of the neighborhood and a back yard that served as a playground for me, my sisters and our many growing-up friends for the entirety of our childhoods. I'll never forget the birthday parties he and mom gave us and how he "blossomed" in supporting the Lake Band when I was a member. He never was a disciplinarian yet I'll always remember being about 5 years old and having a cuss word come out of my mouth, not knowing what I was saying but knowing it was the wrong thing to say and the wrong time to say it. It was the one time my dad took after me in a fury and the moment it slipped out I knew I had it coming. He wasn't a church going man yet in my mind he had religion and a strong belief in God, though not without his doubts and questions. I'll always remember his tears when his sister Betty died. I'll always remember his love of nature and Sunday soup. I'll always remember how mom got him to take a safari to Africa and how he took a suitcase full of mirrors and little things to give to the African kids. I'm sure that gave him more pleasure than seeing the wildlife, which I know he enjoyed. Quiet and somewhat withdrawn would be an understatement. Intelligent and caring would too. Always "chasing" for bargains yet so generous in so many other ways. Thanks for everything Dad. You loved me and I even got you to say it in your later years! Well, the same goes for me. You were a very good dad. Love, Bill

Sara Beres

November 25, 2006

In loving memory of a wonderful person. Even though I did not know Mapa for as long as many others had- his generosity, kindness and positive influence are reflected everyday in my husband. Thank you for introducing me to up North (via Billy), generous Christmas gifts, and Mapa Soup. Have fun with your brothers and please say hi to Mae for me.

Bill Beres

November 24, 2006

Grandpa Mapa was very generous man who worked hard for everything he had, and set up his own children and his grandchildren to succeed. He and the uncles gave us a huge advantage over most other kids our age and did it willingly and selflessly. The Beres Brothers never thought that they had done anything outstanding or out of the ordinary but they did by being there for us kids growing up and allowing us all to go to college. Mapa was a quiet, stirn man but he had a good soft heart. I love you Mapa and thank you for all you did for us. P.S. Say hi to the uncle's for me and leave some fish in the lake for the rest of us. Love, Bill Mike Beres

November 18, 2006

Whether he liked it or not, Bill Sr. was a member of the Onalaska family. He warmed our heart with his eagerness to spend time with the children, many visits to Onalaska and opening his home for our visits to Milwaukee. He and 'the uncles' would spend hours watching the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood from the garage door. We must have been similar to a tv show. Dorie and Bill never ran out of coffee and other staples, for that was another way Bill, Sr. showed his love and support. How proud he must have been of his children, their spouses and the grandchildren and those sweet great grandchildren. I am blessed to know the family and shared in making memories with Bill, Sr.
Linda Huebener, a neighbor and friend

Sharon & Bob Petry

November 18, 2006

Our memory is how Bill, Elmer & Johnny would sit on the bench on the patio at Bill & Dorie's house in Onalaska just enjoying watching all the kids play in the sandbox or backyard. Also of them sitting in the lawn chairs in the garage just people watching and enjoying each moment. Now may Bill be with his brothers relaxing on a bench or lawn chair.

Debbie Schmidt

November 17, 2006

I worked at Hillview "back in the day" when Mr. B was the maintenance man. I remember him being pleasant and friendly and always ready to fix something when broken. I spent many years working with Mrs. Beres at Hillview also. I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. May your memories be only good ones.

Dorie Beres

November 16, 2006

"Kelly" was my father-in-law for 28 1/2 years. I have so many varied memories - all of which reflect upon his personality which was, to me, a type of mental kalidescope.

Soon after our marriage, Bill and Jane came to visit us in our new home in Calif. "Kelly" teased me about my 'designer' toilet paper...

most of my best memories of him, however, relate to our many family trips to northern Wisconsin. Over the years, our family enjoyed many happy visits with he and 'the uncles' up north in Cable. Those three characters all knew from the beginning I was no fisherwoman, but always graciously let me go along. Lots and lots of "Ruth's" brand oatmeal cookies were consumed up there....

Now, I think of the 4 of them up there catching the big ones. Johnny is handling that motor just fine; Elmer's legs aren't bothering him anymore, Frank is running the show, and "Kelly" has on that old fishing hat that I always wanted to replace (he said he didn't want a new one and wouldn't wear it).

What I will remember most about him, however, was what a great grandpa he was, and how good he was to my children. I wish you fair weather and calm waters, Kelly.

Arlene & Mike Vaughn

November 15, 2006

We have many happy memories of Granpa Beres .One - when Leah was a baby and the Beres Family visited us in Lake Wallowa ,Oregon.He was so loving and tender with his Little Grandaughter..Later with Grandson Billy,..Also we have celebrated many Happy Christmas' with the Beres Family.He, Elmer ,Johnny, and Frank were always lots of enjoyment to be with...and Soup! could they make a Sunday dinner.Yes / May Granpa Beres enjoy a Blessed time of rest...

Leah Wyland (Beres)

November 15, 2006

Dear Mapa,

I am so glad that you are up north fishing with the Uncles again, but I can't say it wasn't hard for me when I got that call to let us know you had made your trip final. You will always have a special place in my heart Mapa. I remember so many good times, like when you and John and Elmer would sit in our garage on Grove Street in those lawn chairs and wait for us to get home from school when we were little and Mom and Dad were on vacation, just watching the world go by. I also remember the care packages filled with goodies on our birthdays and holidays (Halloween was always amazing). I remember one birthday that you outlined the age I was turning in shiny pennies on the outside of the package, and I remember feeling like I was the luckiest girl alive to have a grandpa who loved me so much. I also remember glass bottles of Coca-Cola, swinging in the gazebo, you taking Billy and me to the lake, going to a county fair to ride the rides when we knew it was probably not your first choice of entertainment, you mashing up my carrots and potatoes before your own when we ate "Mapa's soup" on Sundays before we would go back home, awesome Christmases with lots of presents from "Santa", halushka with fried cabbage or cottage cheese, candy raisins, cashews, King-size candy bars at Halloween, giving nuts to the "chippies" up north at the cabin, crullers, those black canvas shoes, the ugly fishing hat, plaid flannel shirts, and, my most favorite memory will be of you playing your own songs on our piano and your keyboard (which I will never forget, and I will teach my kids someday on the piano) and "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" on the keyboard. You always were very special to me and I will love you forever in this life, and know I will see you and John, Elmer, and Frankie again (but not for a long time I hope). Please watch over us and I know you will be an angel for my kids. I love you Mapa. Happy trails.

Tony Kathrens

November 15, 2006

Thanks Mr. Beres for opening up your yard and "swings" to all us kids in the neighborhood. It meant the world to me, my brother and sisters. My sympathies to the family.

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