William H. "Bill" Brockdorf Sr., age 92 of West Bend, left this earth to join his maker and his beloved wife, on Monday, May 19, 2014.
He was born on November 16, 1921 in Milwaukee to the late Emil and Amalia (nee Schieve) Brockdorf. He was raised in Racine and following high school Bill joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. At the start of WW II he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp and served as Staff Sergeant on the B-26 "Wizard of Koz" in the European Theater. Bill was shot down over France on April 22, 1944 and became a German POW in Stalag 17-B for a year until the war was over. Following the war he worked several jobs before beginning a long career as a Milwaukee Police Officer until his retirement in 1976. During that time he also served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.
Bill was united in marriage to Berniece Gago on December 17, 1949 in Crown Point, IN. Together they made their home and raised their family in Milwaukee.
Bill was a former member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Milwaukee Trinity Lutheran Church in Kiel, after retirement, and an active member of Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church in West Bend after moving here in 1989 to be closer to family. He was a member of the 344th Bomber Group, and P.O.W. Group. Bill enjoyed tinkering in his shop, recycling scrap "Mr. Recycler", volunteering, and always helping others.
Bill is survived by his five children, Mark (Jackie) Brockdorf of Muskego, Pat (Gary) Johnson of West Bend, Tom (Deb) Brockdorf of Greenfield, Bill (Kari) Brockdorf, Jr. of Germantown, and Rev. Steve (Yulia) Brockdorf of Hillsboro, OR; 13 grandchildren, Liz Liegler, Jason Brockdorf, Vanessa (Dennis) Graff, Jeremiah (Jen) Johnson, Erik (Ashley) Johnson, Cody Johnson, Paul Brockdorf, Rachel Brockdorf, Kalyna Brockdorf, Kalista Brockdorf, Angie (Marty) Cvikel, Drew Lutter, and Nikki Lutter; 11 great-grandchildren, Zac, Sam, Luke, Layla, Maci, Ava, Jaxson, Dawson, Jordan, Alec, and Lorelai; two sisters-in-law, Annie Mancl of Phillips, and Mildred Kertz of Madison; other relatives and friends.
Funeral service in remembrance of William will be held on Saturday May 24th, 2014 at 11:30 am at Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church, West Bend. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 am until the time of service. Burial will follow in Valhalla Memorial Park, Milwaukee.
Memorials to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (777 Indiana Ave., West Bend, WI 53095) or Wounded Warrior Project are appreciated.