Billy B. Essers, 85, of Theresa, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2014, in hospice care at his home.
He was born on December 16, 1928, in Milwaukee, the son of late William Berndt and Georgia (Buckley) Essers. Billy proudly served his country in the U. S. Navy aboard the USS Boxer.
He was united in marriage to Mary Kimm on April 2, 1949. Mary preceded Billy in death on February 6, 1976. On August 23, 1982, he was united in marriage to Lucille Essers. Lucille preceded Billy in death on June 29, 1990.
During his lifetime, Billy wore many hats. His first job was a carpenter by trade. He owned Rock River Tap in Theresa, the Waupun Liquor Store and was a custodian for the Horicon School District. He will fondly be remembered by his nickname Billy B-Esser (a name he lived up to) and as a conversationalist who enjoyed "shooting the bull". He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, drinking Red Dog, playing poker and traveling in his RV. He was very patriotic and was a volunteer fireman with the Theresa Fire Department for many years. He will be deeply missed by his family and by all who knew him.
Those Billy leaves behind to cherish his memory include two children, Cindy (Mark) Peters of Appleton and Johny (Leslie) Essers of Union Grove; four stepchildren, Thomas (Jan) Schwind of Fond du Lac, Nancy (Albert) Pahnke of Lomira, Rose Mary (Wayne) Pirkle of Iowa and Beverly (Rich) Thacker of Virginia; a sister, Marlene (Walter) Oesterreich of Minnesota; a special friend, Marie Kollman of Juneau, 20 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his wives and his parents, Billy was preceded in death by a son, Jeffrey "Stick" Essers; two grandsons, Jeffrey Essers Jr. and Matt Thacker, two brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services for Billy were held at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014, at the Kietzer-Miller Funeral Home in Lomira with Rev. Mark Eckert officiating. Military honor rites followed the service and burial was at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday in Highland Memory Gardens in Beaver Dam.
The Essers family greeted relatives and friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Marfan Syndrome or Melanoma Research Foundation are appreciated.
The Essers family extends their heartfelt appreciation to Agnesian Hospice Hope for the compassionate care provided to Billy.