William M. "Mac" Hemmings, Sr., age 91, of West Bend, passed away Friday June 13, 2008 at Cedar Lake Health & Rehabilitation Center, West Bend.
He was born on May 28, 1917 in Sheboygan Falls to the late George and Nettie (nee Mac Lean) Hemmings. His parents came to the United States from large families in Crewe, England and Dunblaine, Scotland, in the early 1900's.
Mac graduated from Sheboygan Falls High School in the class of 1935. He then attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a B.A. Degree in 1940. While in college he participated in the ROTC program, and shortly after graduation was called to active duty with the United States Army in April of 1941. After his stateside service at Camp Croft, SC, and Ft. Benning, GA, he served in the India-Burma & China campaigns during WW II. While at Camp Croft he was united in marriage to June Seefeld in June of 1941. His active duty military service ended in January of 1946, and he was discharged with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Following his military service, Mac worked in sales management roles for many years with Uniroyal, while living in Illinois and later in Minneapolis. In 1964 he moved to West Bend and became employed at Enger Kress as Vice President of Marketing. He also served on the company's Board of Directors. Mac worked at Enger Kress for 30 years until his retirement in 1994.
Following the death of his first wife, June, in 1972, he married Gracia Eickelberg (nee Tibbals) who also preceded him in death in 1991. In 1992 he was married again to Ruth (Hardt) Frinak.
Mac was a member of the Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church, the West Bend Country Club, West Bend Noon Kiwanis Club, Fred A. Schaefer V.F.W. Post # 1393, the Wisconsin Alumni Association, and Delta Sigma Pi Fraternity. He has served on the West Bend School Board and actively participated as a delegate and in activities for the Wisconsin Republican Party.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; two sons, William M. (Mary) Hemmings, Jr. of Hutchinson, KA, and Richard A. (Jane) Hemmings of Glenview, IL; two step-daughters, Ann Eickelberg of Colorado, and Mimi (Andy) Reid of Redmond, WA; a step-son, Stuart (Diana) Eickelberg of Rochester, MN; a step-daughter-in-law, Sally Eickelberg of Ludington, MI; 17 grandchildren; two nieces, Lory (Gary) Clemens of West Bend, and Barbara (Jeff) Morton of Madison; a nephew, Lee Peterson of Madison; other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Hazel Peterson in 1972; and a stepson, Thomas Eickelberg.
A memorial service in remembrance of Mac will be held on Saturday June 28th at 10:00 am at the Fifth Ave. United Methodist Church (323 S. 5th Ave.). Rev. Janis Best will officiate. Burial of his cremated remains will be in Sheboygan Falls Cemetery.
Memorials in Mac's name may be given to the charity of your choice.