Willard H. Busser

1939 - 2025

Willard H. Busser

April 29, 1939 - June 16, 2025

Willard (Bill) H. Busser, age 86, of Reedsburg, Wis., passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, at Reedsburg Area Medical Center in Reedsburg, Wis. There will be a celebration of life held Saturday July 12th, 1 to 4 p.m., at the Rock Springs Pavilion. Interment will be at the St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Rock Springs, Wisconsin. Willard was born April 29, 1939, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Willard G. and Dorothy S. (Hainstock) Busser. He lived from early childhood to young adulthood with Aubrey D. and Eva (Hainstock) Skinner in rural Reedsburg. In 1951, he played baseball for Reedsburg on the first nationally sanctioned little league team. He graduated from Reedsburg High School in 1956 and then served in the United States Marine Corp and Reserves. Willard married Margo A. Schneider on October 1, 1960, in Rock Springs at St. John's Lutheran Church. They met at the Rock Springs Roller Rink/Community Center and later held their wedding reception and dance in the very same building.

He worked in Madison for several years as a butcher. He then moved to Rock Springs where he delivered milk for Gem City Dairies. He went on to complete an apprenticeship in Tool and Die making. He later started his own business in tool and die making and plastic injection molding. His own business, Glacier Tool and Mold expanded over the years, and he enjoyed getting to work alongside all three of his children. Willard enjoyed a good card game, hunting, fishing, deer camp, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed traveling with his wife Margo, going on cruises, and visiting friends in Arizona. Willard was a member of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, where he served as president. He also was a member of the Elk's Club in Baraboo for several years. Willard was preceded in death by his parents, Willard G. and Dorothy (Hainstock) Busser; aunt and uncle, Aubrey D. and Eva (Hainstock); in-laws, Harold (Chully) and Adelyne (Herritz) Schneider; daughter, Jodie Kay (nine months old); sister and husband, Clifford and Carolyn Roelke; brother, Vernon (Shorty) and Betty Busser; nephews, Billy Busser and David Roelke; niece, Denise Roelke; sister-in-law, Lynne (Schneider) Bretsch.

Survivors include his wife, Margo Schneider; daughter, Wendy (Darwin) McCauley; her daughter, Katie (Jeremy) Schmidt. Son, James (Corinne) Busser; their children, Brandon (Mandy), Justin, and Brian (Amanda) Busser. His son, Michael (Kathleen) Busser; their children, Jacob and Hannah Busser. Nephew, Steven Roelke; sister-in-law, Jan Schneider; and brother in-law, Dean Bretsch. His 10 (yes 10!) great-granddaughters, Jaylee and Charlette Busser, Hallie, Hattie, and Henisey Schmidt, Noelle, Aurora, and Zalea Busser, Olivia and Lyla Busser. Memorials may be made to the Jodie Kay Busser Memorial Park in Rock Springs. He will be greatly missed.