William H. Spahn

1929 - 2024

William H. (Bill) Spahn

December 30, 1929 - October 11, 2024

The family of William (Bill) H. Spahn of Lodi, Wisconsin, is saddened to announce his passing on Friday, October 11, 2024 at the age of 94 years.

Bill was born in Westport, Wisconsin on 12/30/1929 to Henry Aloysius and Vivian (Tierney) Spahn. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1948. He worked at Oscar Mayer for six years and went from working full-time to part-time, when he joined the Madison Police Department in 1952, working both jobs for four years. After years of taking Police correspondence courses, which he started while still in high school, Bill rose to the rank of sergeant. During this time he also joined the famous Wisconsin National Guard Red Arrow Division, where he earned his commission as a second lieutenant in a medical battalion and rose to the rank of captain. As a high-ranking sergeant on the Force, he was instrumental in the introduction of radar in the State of Wisconsin.

Bill opened and operated Spahn Warehouse Liquor, on East Washington Avenue in Madison after resigning from the Police Department. He developed a liquor delivery route and always had a huge box of bubble gum to hand out to all the children on the route. He is still fondly remembered as the Bubble Gum Man to those in Westport and Waunakee. He continued to own and operate the liquor store until he retired in 1986. He was passionate about horseshoes, playing euchre, wood carving, fishing and reading fishing books.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, the mother of his children, Lois (Sampson) Spahn, sister Leslie (Wagner) Haagensen, daughters Karen Sheil and Jenifer Bender and son William H. Spahn II. Survivors include his wife, Marlene A. (Walsh) of 39 years; daughter, Susan Spahn; grandchildren Graysin Wolfe, Tyler Wood, Nicole Spahn and William Spahn III; great grandson Michael Wolfe and great-great grandsons Emrys and Sullivan Wolfe; stepchildren Tom (Carol) Walsh, Dave (Shirley) Walsh and Michelle (John) Marks; step-grandchildren, Ben Walsh, Rachel, Eric and Chad Walsh, John P. and Brenna Marks as well as nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 209 South St., Waunakee, WI on Saturday, October 19 at 9:30am, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am. Interment will follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Lodi's Our House staff for their kindness, support and care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our House Senior Living in Lodi, Wisconsin or Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com. Winn-Cress Funeral & Cremation Service, 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee, (608) 849-4513