William J. "Billy Jo" Culligan

William “Billy Jo” J. Culligan, age 76, of Bloomington, went home to be with Jesus on Monday, September 18, 2023, at his home.  He was born on October 17, 1946, in Spencer, IA, the son of Thomas and LaVonne (Fortner) Culligan.  Billy Jo graduated from West Grant High School in 1965.  Following graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army, serving his country during the Vietnam war.  Billy Jo was honorably discharged on January 29, 1969.  He farmed in Grant County and later relocated to Santa Anna, CA where he was a harness racing horse trainer as well as an over the road truck driver.  Billy Jo returned to Grant County where he worked as a plant supervisor at AMPI until he became an owner/operator and spent many more years on the road until his retirement.  Billy Jo was genuine and courteous and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need.  He enjoyed deer hunting, horses, big trucks, and was a gun enthusiast. He also enjoyed sharing his love of ice cream by serving up a very generous bowl.  Billy Jo liked volunteering his time cleaning monuments in the cemetery.  He was member of the American Legion Post No. 148 of Bloomington and the Bloomington Area Sportsman’s Club.

Survivors include his loving wife of 21 years, Mary; children: Robert and Michael Culligan; granddaughter, Jordan Fadness; stepchildren: Lee Sippola, Wendy (Justin) Cruz; special nieces: Brenda (Perry) Anderson, Sonya (Tim) Withrow; four granddaughters; three grandsons; three great-grandsons; a brother, Patrick Culligan; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, Billy Jo was preceded in death by a son, Billy Jr., a stepson, Aron; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the Cornerstone Foursquare Church in Prairie du Chien.  Burial with military honors will be in the Blue River Valley Church Cemetery, Muscoda.  Visitation will be held on Friday, September 22, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Bloomington and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church.