William "Bill" Thibado

1938 - 2025

William "Bill" Thibado

February 12, 1938 - October 16, 2025

William "Bill" Thibado passed away on October 16, 2025, at his home in rural Downsville, as he wished to do.

Bill was born on February 12, 1938, the oldest child of Don and Jo (Hubbard) Thibado, on the family farm in rural Downsville. He grew up with older sister Virginia (Karl Kunz) and younger siblings Jerry, John "Jack," Jeanine, and Steven.

After high school, he married Audrey Warren on December 30, 1955. Bill worked for his dad Don at Thibado Implement before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. He was trained as an Air Force mechanic specializing in the maintenance of F-100 jets and rose in responsibilities to become a designated crew chief. He was stationed in Amarillo, TX; Okinawa, Japan; and Washington, D.C.

After six years of service, Bill, Audrey, and their young sons Jeff and Craig returned to the Downsville area, where their youngest son Gary was born in 1962. Bill worked at Presto Industries in Eau Claire and then as a mechanic for Bill Wiseapple in Eau Claire and La Crosse. The remainder of his working career was with the Dunn County Highway Department as a mechanic and welder.

Bill undertook the remodeling of the Kyle Schoolhouse, which he had attended along with his siblings, cousins, and younger aunts and uncles. The schoolhouse, once remodeled and added onto, became the family home for the remainder of his life.

After retiring from Dunn County, Bill and Audrey enjoyed several years of travel that included Germany, Ireland, and France (homelands of Bill and Audrey's grandparents); Norway, Sweden, and Denmark; Australia and New Zealand; Alaska; Ukraine (from where they could see the Russian border); and numerous places within the United States. A highlight of their U.S. travels was visiting Thibodaux, Louisiana, where many of Bill's Acadian ancestors relocated in the late 1700s after being deported by the British.

Bill's hobbies included mechanical work on Gary Cumming's stock car race team. Later in life, he enjoyed restoring a 1931 Ford Model A Coupe and attending car shows and local parades with it. Bill also built, with son Gary as lead contractor, a cabin on Lily Lake, where many years of hunting and fishing with his children, their spouses, and grandchildren were enjoyed. Bill and Audrey were also charter members of the Downsville Snow Drifters Snowmobile Club. Bill enjoyed playing pool and was a long-time team member of both Cubby's of Downsville and The Cabaret of Webb Lake. In more recent years, coffee on Wednesdays with friends in Elmwood was a social highlight of the week.

Bill is survived by his wife, Audrey, of almost 70 years. His youngest son, Gary (Robyn), passed away in April 2018. His sons Jeff and Craig (Lori Smith) continue to reside in the Downsville area. Bill greatly enjoyed the time he spent with his grandchildren Tiffany, Vanessa (Kevin), Alicia, Jessica (Jake), and great-grandchildren Carson and Aspen. Jeff's biological daughter, Michelle, rejoined the family as a young adult.

Bill's final years at home were made possible by the caregivers from St. Croix Hospice and the coordination of medical services by his daughter-in-law Robyn and granddaughter Jessica. Bill cherished visits from local relatives and holidays with friends. He and Audrey also appreciated visits from Audrey's sister Diane Maier, her husband Ralph, and their children Mike, Stacy, and David.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 23, from 3:00–6:00 p.m. at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI. The last half hour will be set aside for an informal Celebration of Life led by cousin Pat Thibado.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made and earmarked for the continued operation of the Downsville Recreation Park.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com