William Ryan "Bill" Drew

An exemplary life leaves no regrets.

Bill entered eternal life on October 17th at the age of 83 years. He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 34 years, Mary Cannon. Also greatly missing Bill, will be his brother, Jim (Sandy), and sister, Maureen Vassallo and brothers-in-law Tom (Nancy), Bill (Geralyn), Pat (Linda) and John (Josie) and sister-in-law Susie Cannon. He will be loved and missed by his 11 nieces and nephews who had many adventures with him "Up North" and by his 24 great nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, James and Kathryn Drew, his sister Ann (Joe Marley), and nephew Vincent Vassallo. Bill's many friends will miss his good humor and enduring loyalty.

Bill had an exceptional life guided by love of his Irish heritage, the values of his Catholic education with the Presentation Sisters in Waukon, Iowa and the Jesuits at Marquette, and his desire to make the world a better place for everyone. He graduated from Marquette University and Marquette University Law School. Bill held many elected and appointed positions in Milwaukee city and county government, the state of Wisconsin, and worked for Sen. William Proxmire in Washington. He was elected President of the Milwaukee Common Council, served as Commissioner of City Development under Mayor Henry Maier, Director of Administration for Milwaukee County, Executive Director of the Milwaukee County Research Park, State Fair Park Board Chair, Treasurer of Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, and Of Counsel to the O'Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong & Laing law firm. He was active in reviving the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Milwaukee and was a Knight of Malta. He served on many task forces and volunteered his time and talent for numerous organizations. Bill was a mentor to many people who remember him as supportive and forthright. He was pleased to help people fulfill their dreams. Bill was known for his good character, generous spirit, and integrity. His word was indeed his bond.

Bill was always up for an adventure. He and Mary traveled the world from icebergs in Antarctica to jungles in Myanmar and Kenya. They spent winters in Belize and San Miguel Allende, MX. No doubt he is organizing the angels in heaven. Bill was a great cook. He loved a good joke and was known to tell a few tall tales himself to unsuspecting friends. In heaven, he'll be looking for his Border Collies and Irish Water Spaniels with whom he shared his life.

The family especially thanks the nurses and doctors at Froedtert Hospital and the amazing care and kindness of the staff at St. Camillus Hospice. These dedicated staffs made Bill's final months a peaceful blessing. The family also appreciates the compassionate care of Drs. Lyndsey Runaas and Gilbert Fareau at the Froedtert Cancer Center.

A joyful gathering of family and friends will send Bill off with bagpipes and bugles at a Mass of Resurrection on November 2nd at 10:00 am, at Old St. Mary's Church, 844 N. Broadway, Milwaukee. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill's name to the Red Cloud Indian School, www.redcloudschool.org.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Oct. 19 to Oct. 20, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for William Drew

Sponsored by Brett Funeral Home - Milwaukee.

9 Entries

Tyrone Dumas

October 24, 2019

My deepest prayers and condolences to the Family of Mr. William Drew...I admired him for his compassion, power/insight/commitment, to get things done and his love for this community/city...Regards and God Bless to Mary and his entre family...

Michael Michalski

October 23, 2019

I remember Bill from my days as pastor of St. Rose of Lima and his help in reviving the Ancient Order of Hibernians that sponsored a spaghetti dinner to help the parish and school. I had to laugh that the recipe for the special meal came from Ireland. Later on,I would see Bill at daily and weekend Mass at Old St. Mary's Parish when I lived on the east side of Milwaukee. Always a kind gentleman. Every Christmas I would get a box of chocolates from him. May he rest in peace. My peace to Mary and his family. May God bless Bill for all his many years of service.

Madonna Ravet

October 22, 2019

Mary,
My sympathy goes out to you and the entire Drew Family. Bill was an amazing man and always had a smile on his face when he would come into the office. I've heard so many wonderful stories from him and about him and everything he did for this community, and he will truly me missed by all. Losing a loved one is never easy, but remember, with everything thought and story, his memory will live on. A donation has been made to Red Cloud Indian School in his name and memory. May his spirit live on in everyone he touched.

Marlene Hoth

October 21, 2019

Dear Mary,
Howard and I will truly miss seeing Bill walk the dogs each day up north. It was always such a pleasure to stop and talk with him. We are saddened by his passing and have you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
The north woods has lost a true friend.

October 20, 2019

So sad that Bill is gone just as it looked that he would be home with you Mary. My memories of Bill and you are of the time we spent working together at DCD. It was special and truly the highlight of my years in Milwaukee. My blessings to his memory and to you.
Fondly
Sandy

The Staff of Brett Funeral Home

October 20, 2019

Offering our deepest sympathies at this time.

Fr. Chris Manahan, S.J.

October 19, 2019

Our prayers and thoughts are with Mary and the family. Bill made his 35th and final retreat at the Jesuit Retreat House, Oshkosh, in April 2018. Experiencing his warmth and his caring heart was a privilege for all of us. May God now welcome him home.

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