William J Fitzgerald

William J "Bill" Fitzgerald, of Franklin, left too soon on Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the age of 94. Preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy (nee Maki), he is survived and dearly missed by sons Richard (Erina), Michael (Mary), and Timothy (Martinique). He is further survived by his sister Patricia (Ed) Shaw of Montana, grandchildren Matthew, Kevin (Luciana), Nicole and Ryan, and great-grandchild Rosalia Fitzgerald. He is also missed by his ragdoll cat, Zorro. Bill was born on January 2, 1928, as the fifth of nine children to John G. and Helen (Kraus) Fitzgerald. His rambunctious youth on Milwaukee’s near North Side included a talent for hand balancing and gymnastics with the Milwaukee Turners. He graduated from North Division High School in 1946 and joined the Army in 1950, where he was with the Signal Corps stationed in Germany. With the ranks frozen, he remained a PFC although he rose to fulfill the role of Sergeant for his unit. He and Dorothy married in 1955, and settled in Franklin, WI where they raised their family, and enjoyed bowling, fishing, Sunday drives and visits to county parks. Bill worked in the metal trades at Butters-Fetting, Co., Inc. for 56 years. Technically “retired” for the last 29 years, he continued to work part time right up until his death. He recently received recognition for 50 years as a member of the Steamfitters Union Local 601. He began his career at Butters in 1966, laying the refrigeration piping for the outdoor Wisconsin Olympic Ice Rink at State Fair Park – it remained one of his proudest accomplishments. He and Dorothy took up golf at the age of 65 and enjoyed their leisure time together until her death in 2019. Bill always had multiple projects to work on and remained both mentally and physically active to the end. He was a member of American Legion Post 192 and the VFW. Visitation at the MAX A SASS & SONS MISSION HILLS CHAPEL (8910 W Drexel Ave. Franklin, WI) on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, from 9:30 AM until the time of sharing at 11:00 AM. Interment will take place in Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Park, Union Grove.