William "Bill" Janssen

William "Bill" Janssen, 84 years old, a beloved father, friend, and community member, passed away on October 15, 2024, at UW-Madison Hospital. Born November 29, 1939 in Shannon, Illinois to Marian and William Janssen, Bill lived a life full of love, dedication, and resilience.
Bill graduated from Freeport High School in 1959 and proudly served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1963 to 1965. He was attached to the 25th Infantry Division at the Schofield Barracks in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1964, he married the love of his life, Patricia (Wolfram) Janssen, in Honolulu. Pat and Bill met on a blind date in Freeport while she was in nursing school. They returned to Freeport, where Bill spent over 30 years as a letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office, known for his friendly smile and unwavering commitment to his job.
Bill was an active member of the Eagle's Club and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Bill had a passion for gardening, fishing, and classic country music, often finding joy in the simple pleasures of life. An avid fisherman, he spent many hours at Lake Summerset, creating lasting memories with his daughters. They fondly remember endless summer days of boating and skiing, often trading off time on the water for fishing trips with their dad.
After retiring, Bill and Pat enjoyed winters in Florida at the postal worker retirement community, Nalcrest. Despite living with heart disease for many decades, Bill never let it define him; he continued to walk over 20,000 steps each day until near the end of his life.
Bill's spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his daughters and their spouses: Sarah (Sean Avent) Janssen of San Francisco, CA; Melinda (Matthew) Benninger of Marquette, MI; and Gretchen (Jeremy) Yeoman of Freeport. He had a special relationship with each of his 5 grandchildren: Caleb and Nate Benninger, Natalie and Kyle Yeoman, and Zoe Avent. He is also survived by his best friend, Elaine Bicking of Freeport; and sisters-in-law: Marion (Wolfram) Hubner and Joann Janssen.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; his parents and his in-laws Margaret and Frances Wolfram; his sisters Carol Janssen and Phyllis Brown; his brother Michael Janssen; nephew Philip Brown, and niece Peggy Forrer.
A celebration of his life will be held November 30, 2024. Visitation will be held at 9 am at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home, Freeport. Memorial service will follow at 10:30 am with Military Honors. Burial at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren following services. A memorial has been established in Bill's memory.