William Hable

William L. "Bill" Hable of Bloomer, WI, passed away at age 87 on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Bloomer with Fr. Arockiaraj Paristham celebrating the mass. Interment will follow the mass at Saint Paul's South Catholic Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 3 at Thompson Funeral Home in Bloomer. A public vigil service will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Bill was born on the Bloomer family farm of his parents, William Sr and Marcella (nee Grill), on April 14, 1938. He attended St. Paul's Catholic School, and graduated as Valedictorian of the Bloomer High School class of 1956. He attended the University of Wisconsin – Madison where he earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering. During his time in Madison, he met his adored wife, Judy (nee Keyser). They were married on January 7, 1961, at St Bernard's Catholic Church in Middleton, WI.

Bill started his career at Catalytic Combustion/UOP, soon to move to his long-time employer Uniroyal where he was the Chief Maintenance Engineer. The last 31 years of his career were spent self-employed as Hable Engineering, providing Mechanical and Environmental Engineering services for several regional businesses.

Bill formed an early love of sailing as a student at the University of Wisconsin. He renewed this desire in his mid-forties as he started his life-long passion project, building a 42-foot wooden schooner in his back yard. Several years later he and Judy built Woodhaven, their vacation home on Madeline Island, WI, where he could sail his interim boat, Passages. The schooner currently lies unfinished at his home, a tribute to his art and persistence.

Throughout his life, Bill loved to travel around the US and the world. Earlier in life, the family enjoyed yearly car trips around the US and Canada, and one final family holiday trip to Hawaii. Later in life, he and Judy traveled extensively abroad, and within the US. Their favorite destinations included Maine, Czech Republic, Italy, the outer banks of the Carolinas, and coastal Mississippi. Bill's favorite place to relax was on Madeline Island.

Bill will be remembered as a very intelligent, fun-loving man. He spoke with confidence and was usually right -- mostly. Throughout his life he was known to expertly wield a fly rod, a wood chisel, a 20-gauge shotgun, the gear shifter of his MG Midget and a lethal croquet mallet.

Bill encouraged Judy to pursue her creative passions and could be overheard bragging about it. He enjoyed spending time with his children throughout their lives and was very proud of each of their unique talents and accomplishments.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; and his siblings, Thomas, Monica, Jean, and Anthony.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Judy; five children, Amy (Jim) Almendinger, Wendy (Steven) Maves, Rebecca Hable, Laurie (Dan) Joslin and Jim (Eileen) Hable; his grandchildren, Jasmine (Leah) Scott, Adalyn (Trevor) Strand, Amanda (Noah Crosbie) Maves, Mary Hable; and siblings, Patricia Zastrow, P. Michael Hable, and David Hable. His beloved dog Sadie continues to mourn the loss of their companionship.

Memorials are preferred to St. Paul's Catholic School in Bloomer or to the family, where funds raised will be used to purchase a park bench on Madeline Island in Bill's honor.

Thompson Funeral Home & Chippewa Valley Cremation Services in Bloomer is serving the family. To express condolences online, please visit www.thompsonfuneralhome.com.