GERMANTOWN. Born to Eternal Life on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Age 86. Beloved husband for 62 years of Gert (nee Bobinger). Dear father of Lee Anne Runnells and Heather (Scott) Anders. Loving grandfather of Liam and Erin Anders. Dear brother of Dwain and brother-in-law of Mary Runnells. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Dwain, Sr. and Erna (nee Radtke) Runnells; his sisters, Lois Meyer, Ruth Schulz and Carol Senkerik; his brothers, George, Don, Glenn, Dick and Gene Runnells; his sisters-in-law, June and Joan Runnells; and his brothers-in-law, Earl Meyer, Don Schulz and Ken Senkerik.
Visitation Sunday, December 10, 2023, from 1:00pm until Time of Memorial Service at 3:00pm with a reception to follow at Mount Carmel Lutheran Church, 8424 W. Center Street, Milwaukee.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to an organization or charity you think Bill would have appreciated.
Bill was born in Milwaukee and enjoyed growing up as the youngest child in a large, tight-knit family. He graduated from North Division High School, where he met his future wife, Gert, and served four years in the Army National Guard. Bill’s career was devoted to hardware, starting out in manufacturing, later travelling the country as a salesman, and then spending time in management. The last part of his career was spent as a “Helpful Hardware Man”, truly living up to that title.
Bill enjoyed many hobbies including fishing, spending time up north, watching the Packers and Brewers, telling bad jokes, and painting, but woodworking was his passion. He was a lifetime member of the West Allis Woodworking Club. Many family members and friends are proud recipients of Bill’s beautiful creations, from small breadboards to complete roomfuls of furniture.
Bill and Gert have been long-time members of Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, where Bill was part of the men’s group. A social butterfly, he always enjoyed a good family party and participated in all sort of activities where he lived. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the wonderful nurses and staff on the 5th floor of Froedtert Hospital Menomonee Falls who provided compassionate care for Bill’s body and spirit, and to our entire family, during his final days.
