Willard "Bill" Pillsbury, age 83 of Fox Lake, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 surrounded by his family at Continental Manor in Randolph.

Bill was born on April 17, 1926, in the Town of Trenton to Lester and Lydia (nee Haslow) Pillsbury. He later attended grade school at a country school in the Town of Trenton. On October 8, 1949, Bill was united in marriage to Eleanor Born at the Fox Lake Lutheran Church. Bill owned and operated his own milk route. On May 31, 1988, he retired from Dodge County after 34 years in road maintenance. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in Fox Lake for more than 20 years. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, going on casino trips and playing multiple instruments that he learned not from sheet music, but just by listening. He loved to spend time with his family, and they will always remember him for joking around with them. Bill was a true "character" and will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Eleanor of Fox Lake; three children, Gale (Susan) Dahlke, Christean (Bill) Frank and Dean (Pam) Pillsbury, all of Fox Lake; two brothers, Wayne "Buzz" Pillsbury, Don "Speed" (Sharon) Pillsbury and one sister, Shirley Parks, all of Fox Lake; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister-in-law, Shirley Pillsbury; brother-in-law, John Parks and other relatives.

A Visitation for Bill will be on Friday, January 8, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until NOON at Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services, 135 Keller Blvd. in Beaver Dam. A Funeral Service will be held at NOON at the funeral home and burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Fox Lake.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.