William D. Lieber Sr.

William D. (Bill) Lieber, Sr., of Palm Desert, CA, and formerly of Neenah, WI, passed away peacefully April 2, 2008, at the age of 78, with his beloved wife of 55 years Paula at his bedside. His death was the result of complications from cancer. He was born in Neenah, WI, June 7, 1929, to Otto, Jr., and Malinda Lieber. He graduated from Neenah High School in 1947, attended Ripon College for two years and received his Bachelor's in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1951. He married the love of his life, Pauline (Paula) Stedman, June 11, 1952. He was president of Lieber Lumber Co., and Wholesale Lumber and Supply, businesses started by his father in 1929, and along with his brother Bob, helped grow the companies into the most successful family-owned lumber yards in northeastern Wisconsin. Over the course of 55 years, Lieber Lumber Co., expanded from Neenah into Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay, Waupaca, Kaukauna and New London. In 1983, he and his brother went into the home improvement business, and in 1987 until their retirements in 2000, they developed buildings in the Neenah Industrial Park. He was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Menasha, WI., a member and a director of Butte des Morts Country Club in Appleton, WI, and a director of Neenah West National Bank. He also was a member of St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert as well as a member of Palm Valley Country Club. He is survived by his wife; his daughter, Jill Lieber Steeg and her husband, James H. Steeg of San Diego, CA; his son, William D. Lieber, Jr., and his partner, Robert Green of Chicago, IL; his brother, Robert O. Lieber (Wilma) of Neenah, WI, and their family; his brother-in-law, John Law of Appleton, WI, and his family; his brother-in-law, Gerald D. Reilly of Greenwich, CT, and Vero Beach, FL, and his family. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his sister, Doris Lieber Law of Appleton, WI; his brother-in-law, Charles S. Urso, Sr., his sister-in-law, Ina Stedman Urso, and his nephew Charles S. Urso, Jr., all of New Canaan, CT; his sister- in-law Dean Stedman Reilly of Greenwich, CT; and his and Paula's loving Bichon "Babs." In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his memory to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 47535 Hwy. 74, Palm Desert, CA 92260. A memorial service, celebrating his life, will be held at St. Margaret's, Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.