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William Goecke Obituary
He graduated from Durant High School and studied at Marshalltown Community College and Iowa Teachers College to receive a degree in Education. After graduating he married Sharon Goecke in 1964 and they both taught in Newton Iowa until he received a scholarship to study at Michigan State University. He earned a Master's degree and completed post graduate work before finding his final teaching position, with Sharon, in the Standish Sterling School system. He taught a wide variety of science courses and was known for his class projects and making buttons for students.
They retired in 1999 giving him more time to indulge in his fondness for books and many hobbies in between travel in the U.S. and Europe. They enjoyed spending winters in various southern states before finally settling in Green Valley, Arizona for half the year. He enjoyed birdwatching, new cuisine, and learning new things wherever he went.
The family, including daughter Sarah, relocated to Midland in 2018 and were able to enjoy the city before his illness slowed him down.
Bill is survived by Sharon and daughter Sarah, his brother Tom (Sharon), his brother Ted's widow Julie, and their children and grandchildren.
A memorial will be held August 23rd, 2-4:30pm at Saganing Tribal Center in Standish.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Standish Sterling Scholarship fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Goecke
Sponsored by The Family.
Jo Brinker
August 22, 2025
So sorry to hear the news. Prayers and hugs flying to you and Sarah. Love. Jo Brinker and Bill and Jenni
Thomas Matuszewski
August 22, 2025
My name is Tom Matuszewski. I am a good friend of Bart Dexter who was Bill`s buddy at Brookdale. Bill and Bert had lunch together every day. I often came to visit Bart, coming from Bay City. Always bringing him a Perch dinner for lunch. Knowing that he had lunch with Bill every day I brought Bill perch dinner as well Sometime ago I was told Bill wasn´t well so I shared his perch. After that, I only brought two dinners one for me and one for Bart. Today I came to visit again and the nurses told me that Bill had recently passed. I´m very sorry to hear that . Our lunch discussions were always interesting. I am a tetired Oh school principal so we had many "educational" discussions. Bill was a very intelligent human being. I always looked forward to visiting with him. He was also very thankful for the dinner. He made sure to repeat it a couple times before I left. I am sorry for your loss. He was a good friend to my pal Bart. I will keep yout Family in my prayers
Emily McTaggart Mallory
July 18, 2025
Mr. Goecke was one of my favorite teachers. He made Chemistry and Physics fun and interesting. He was always there to answer questions and I loved his silly jokes... Especially when he would shake his head "no" when he would really mean "yes" and vice versa. He loved confusing us with that Rest in peace Mr. Goecke
Randi Huovinen-Trainor
July 17, 2025
Mr. Goecke was an absolutely fantastic teacher. He inspired students to be their best selves. We all got to know him as a person and he was invested in our lives too. You could tell he was a wonderful family man that adored his wife and daughter. I was fortunate to have him for 3 years in high school (the majority of students only had him for 2) and I loved the projects we did, such as the toothpick bridge, egg drop, and mousetrap racer. I still have the buttons he made me for all of these and for our girl group that we formed to retaliate for the boys who toilet papered our houses. I will always hold dear those fond memories from high school. Condolences to Mrs. Goecke and Sarah.
James Jaeger
July 16, 2025
I went to highschool with Bill. We were good teenage friends.
Abby (Schwab) Zarimba
July 16, 2025
I am sorry to hear of Mr. Geoke´s passing. I have many fond memories of him from HS science classes and I still have some of the tools from the set he gifted to me at graduation. May your memories of him bring you comfort.
Patty Moore
July 16, 2025
What a great guy. In the gym, we were fortunate enough to witness many egg drops. I´m sure blessed to have been able to teach with Bill. Sincere condolences, Patty Moore
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