LTC. WILLIAM "BILL" J. FLETCHER
William "Bill" J. Fletcher, age 92 of Beaver Dam, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 3, 2012 at home.

Bill was born on December 17, 1919 in Big Bend, WI to Chester and Marjorie (nee Menick) Fletcher. He grew up on a farm and graduated from Waukesha High School before attending Carroll College for two years. Looking for adventure, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He proudly served in three wars and four different military branches, including the Coast Guard, Navy, Army Air Corp and the Air Force. On September 18, 1943, Bill was united in marriage to Shirley Hibbard in Burlington, VT.
In 1979 he retired from military service after 6 years active duty and 34 years reserves achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After discharge from active service in 1945, Bill worked at Holz Chevrolet in Hales Corners for a year before moving to Hartford to run the family owned Ford dealership-Fletcher Motors. Six years later, they moved to Beaver Dam and he worked as a Service Manager at the former Howard Motors in Beaver Dam. Bill ended his working career by retiring from Sentry Insurance as an Appraiser in 1983.

Bill was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Beaver Dam, where he enjoyed serving as an usher. He was a charter member of Beaver Dam Lions Club, serving as past president with over 55 years of service. He was also president of Hartford Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Tax Action Group, served as alderman on the Beaver Dam City Council and a member of the VFW Post 1163 – Clarence Keske Post. Bill enjoyed coaching baseball, basketball and football, and served as Little League Commissioner in Beaver Dam. In his free time, he enjoyed swimming at the YMCA, golfing at Old Hickory and Beaver Dam Country Clubs achieving two hole-in-ones. He also enjoyed gardening, playing cards, spoiling his grandchildren and fishing. Bill was very honored and proud to be able to go on the Badger Honor Flight on June 27, 2009 with his son-in-law David.

Bill is survived by his wife, Shirley of Beaver Dam; his daughter, Barbara (David) Carlson of Burlington; his son, Robert (Elaine) Fletcher of Camas, WA; four grandchildren, Robert Jr.(Christina), John(Sara), Elizabeth and Amanda; triplet great-grandsons, Nate, Brenden and Chase; a great-granddaughter, Lucy; and a brother, Warren (Arline) Fletcher of Ocean City, NJ. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, William Fletcher Jr. in 2005; his parents; a brother, Jim and sister-in-law Mary Anne Fletcher; sisters, Dorothy and Virginia and brother-in-law, Bob Fritsch.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Bill will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012 at St. Katharine Drexel Parish, 511 S. Spring St., Beaver Dam with Fr. Mike Erwin as celebrant. Visitation will take place prior to the Mass at church, beginning at 2:00 p.m. and Military Honors will be held after the Mass at the church. Inurnment will be on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Beaver Dam.

Memorials may be directed to the YMCA of Dodge County at 220 Corporate Dr. in Beaver Dam, WI 53916.

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