William Dean Becher

William ("Bill") Dean Becher

Menasha - (b. September 14th, 1944)

Bill Becher passed away this past March in Menasha, WI. He was 76. Bill was the third of four children born to Mabel (nee Drucks) and Elmer Becher. It was a transformative time for the world, the country, Menasha and for the Bechers: the war was winding down, and the end of rationing was in sight, which meant demand for consumer products was going to skyrocket. Mabel and Elmer owned Becher Electric on Main Street, which became a second home for the family, who always had a front row seat to see the latest appliances and TVs. Not surprisingly, Bill took to electronics, starting early on his path to a lifelong career as an electrician. These were go-go times in the 50s, with everything from a rapidly expanding consumer leisure, and travel economy to their own epidemic and quarantine - the family remembers a summer spent stuck in the house and porch during the Polio outbreaks in children. They had the often mundane, but sometimes exhilarating, usually exhausting, but always loving day-to-day life for a family of six.

Among other activities, Bill was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, highlighted by attending the Jamboree at Valley Forge, PA. He graduated from Menasha High School in 1963, then became a journeyman electrician with Warner Electric. A lifelong, active member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) #577, Bill served as long time delegate to the Fox Valley Labor Council. He took great pride in his craft, in the civil and commercial projects he helped complete, and in the friendships he made and the respect shared over the course of his career.

Friends and family knew his to be generous with his time, eager to lend a helping hand, and longtime donor to many causes he held dear, including (just to name a few): Loop the Lake; St. Mary's Middle School; the Menasha Boys & Girls Club; the Neenah/Menasha Labor Fest; and the Kimberly Clark Paper Fest.

He will be remembered as a guy that could be gruff and stubborn one minute, but crack a joke with a twinkle in his eye the next. Most of all, he'll be remembered as a helper - stopping by to fix an appliance for free, or volunteering to wrap presents at the mall each Christmas.

Bill is survived by his brother Tom Becher of Neenah, Wisconsin, sister Nancy Cook of Lakewood, Washington, and sister Elizabeth "Bunny" Kringel of Mobile, Alabama, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Bill's siblings would like to thank Bill's friend who showed him kindness over the years - he loved and appreciated you all in his own unique way!