William R. "Bill" Simek

William R. "Bill" Simek
Passed away March 30, 2025
Born July 20, 1942, in Chicago, Il. to parents Doris Elizabeth (Wachholz) and William Frank Simek. In the spring of 1943, the family moved to Neillsville, WI where Bill spent his growing up years. He played football and basketball in high school, graduating from Neillsville High School in 1960. After working for a time in Medford, WI in the grocery business Bill moved to St. Paul to take a job with Red Owl stores.
Bill met his future wife, Virginia "Ginger" Vogel, at the Highland Red Owl in the fall of 1963. It seemed there was some mutual interest, and they started dating. The Army drafted Bill in March 1964. Letters went back and forth averaging 5 a week. After basic and advanced training, he was sent to Butzbach, Germany for active duty. Upon his return to Minnesota, the couple became engaged and married in August 1966. Bill found employment with a food broker and later was offered a job with Hooley's Wholesale Meat Co. in Stillwater. Bill traveled about 1,000 miles a week selling to restaurants, schools, institutions and other retail outlets. He took to heart the advice if you can make money for someone else, you can make it for yourself. In 1972, Bill started Simek's Meats and Seafoods as a one-man operation. He rented office and cold storage space in downtown St. Paul, took the orders, wrote up the invoices, loaded the product on a rental truck and made the deliveries. The weekly bookwork was done on Sunday afternoons by Bill and Ginger.
Simek's first retail store opened in October 1977 in St. Paul Park. It was an opportunity to offer to the home market some of the same restaurant-quality products available to businesses and institutions. Sampling the items and trying before you buy was a part of everyday store operations. In addition to the retail store, the building served as company headquarters and product cold storage space. At one time there were 10 Simek's retail stores. Bill had a reputation as a respected, honest businessman.
After retiring Bill volunteered at the Minneapolis VA hospital. He helped veterans navigate the huge building to get to their appointments. Sometimes the veterans would open up to him and talk about their experiences.
Bill enjoyed their lake place in the Brainerd area. He probably spent more time working to keep it looking good and up to his standards than just relaxing. Deer hunting both with bow and rifle, snowmobiling and fishing were pastimes he enjoyed sharing with family and friends. Bill valued the many longtime friends and contacts he made throughout his life.
Bill leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Ginger, sons Stuart (Jennifer), Doug (April), grandchildren Reagan, Max, twins Emerson and Emilia, brother Jim (Margie), nieces, nephews and cousins. He was deeply loved, will be greatly missed yet also leaves behind many wonderful shared memories.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 South Robert Street, West St. Paul, MN. Visitation begins at 10 am followed by the service at 11 am. Bill will be buried with military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Memorials suggested to the Augustana Harvest Fund or a charity of the donor's choice.
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