William Franklin Ditzler

1934 - 2025

William Franklin Ditzler

February 23, 1934 - November 26, 2025

William Franklin Ditzler, known affectionately as Bill, Dudley, and to his friends in Guatemala as Willy, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025 in Rio Dulce, Guatemala, where he had lived for the past twenty years. He was 91 years old.

William was born on February 23, 1934, in Cook County, Illinois, to Hillard Lisle Ditzler and Lillian (Jones) Ditzler. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Robert Lisle Ditzler (2007).

Entrepreneurial, determined, and endlessly resourceful, William spent the early part of his career as President of the American Rubber Products Co., a subsidiary of the American Roller Company, founded by his father in 1938. Following in those footsteps yet charting his own course, he later established his own business, Graphic Business Systems (GBS Graphics), in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. He devoted long hours to building (quite literally) both his company and his family home. His children remember weekend trips to the hardware store and watching him undertake major home additions with capable hands and determination.

Despite his full work life, William made time for adventure with his family. Skiing in Colorado became one of their most cherished traditions. There, he earned the nickname "Dudley" when a family friend watched him guiding a line of children through wooded trails on their skis; "Dudley Duck and his ducklings." The name stuck, especially for his children and grandchildren, who called him Dudley for nearly his entire life.

William also shared his love of cooking with his children. He was the weekend cook, the special-event chef, and the maker of memorable breakfasts and homemade "scrummies." He loved preparing meals for family gatherings and big parties, and his joy in cooking became a passion he passed down, especially to his sons, who credit him as the source of their own love for food and hospitality.

In 2005, William embraced a new chapter when he moved to Bruno's Marina in Rio Dulce, Guatemala. There he lived first aboard his sailboat and later in a small apartment at the marina. Over two decades, he built an extraordinary and loving community of friends and neighbors who knew him simply as Willy. He had a kind easygoing spirit, and he loved to throw a good party with lots of food. Countless people in Rio Dulce knew him, cared for him, and considered him family.

William married twice and had five children, four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He is survived by his former wife, Carol Ann Hume, whom he married in 1965. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carole Rae Orintau (2025), and by his daughter, Virginia Rae Ditzler Clark (2016). He is survived by his children: Jeffrey Ditzler, David William Ditzler (Sarah), Anne Elizabeth Ditzler (Erin), and Thomas Andrew Ditzler (Judi); as well as his son-in-law, Rick Clark. His grandchildren; Zachary Clark (Rebecca), Jessica Clark, Rachael Clark, and Diego Ditzler; and his great-grandchildren; Madeline, Pierce, Payton, Natalie, Ollie, Sawyer, and Jordan, all of whom carry forward his legacy of kindness and curiosity.

William will be dearly missed by his family and by his beloved community in Rio Dulce. His children extend their deepest gratitude to the staff, friends, neighbors, and marina family who cared for Willy, laughed with him, supported him, and loved him throughout his years in Guatemala. You meant the world to him . . . and to us.

A private memorial service was held in Guatemala.

In lieu of other memorials, we suggest a donation to Casa Guatemala (https://casa-guatemala.org/) in his honor.