William “Bill” C. Carey
William “Bill” C. Carey passed away May 28, 2018 at the age of 89. He was born April 24, 1929 in Milwaukee, WI to William and Genevieve Carey and moved to a farm in Mount Calvary shortly thereafter.
During the Depression the family moved to Fond du Lac where Bill spent his childhood and young adult years. As a teenager he was an avid speed skater winning numerous awards at state meets including the “Silver Skates” title several years in a row. As a young man, Bill was elected to the Fond du Lac County Board at age 21 while working for the Fond du Lac Reporter and KFIZ radio station as a reporter and newscaster. He went on to join the Milwaukee Sentinel staff as city hall reporter followed by the Appleton Post Crescent as an investigative and labor reporter, as well as member of the editorial board.
Bill was most proud of his career spanning twenty-five years serving the City of Milwaukee as a fiscal coordinator and lobbyist. He served as the assistant and acting director of the Department of Fiscal Liaison under Mayor Henry Maier. He completed his career in the Wisconsin State Department of Administration as Director of the Intergovernmental Relations Bureau under Governor Tommy Thompson.
During retirement, he proudly served 20 years as the retiree-elected trustee of the City of Milwaukee Annuity and Pension Board. He was an appointed member of the Great Lakes Commission and served on several other local boards in the Fond du Lac area during his retired years. He was an active participant in many political campaigns throughout the years and also served in the National Guard.
Bill and his late wife, Daisy (nee Uelmen) were married July 30, 1955 enjoying many family vacations, children’s sports, concerts and travels with friends during their 48 years of marriage. Bill will be deeply missed by his five children William (Lori), Ann Holt (Keith), Michael (Kathy), Kathryn Neubauer (Patrick) and Melissa Mann (Dylan). He was the proud grandpa of Rachel, Will, Daisy, Emily, Sarah, Mia, Emma, Izaac, Maleny, Alex, Grace and Phoebe. He is also survived by a sister, Jean Cousineau, and dear friend Betsy Haskett.
A special thank you to Nicole and the caregivers at Brookdale, Brookfield and to Serenity Hospice for their care and support.
Bill will be remembered as a no-nonsense and determined advocate for the causes in which he believed, as well as a gregarious and loyal friend, quick with a witty one-liner and full of hospitality.
VISITATION: Bill’s family welcomes relatives and friends for a time of visitation at Zacherl Funeral Home on Monday, June 4th, 2018 from 11:00 to 11:45 AM.
SERVICE: A Liturgy of the Word Funeral Service will follow visitation at the funeral home at 12:00 PM. Burial will be in St. Matthew’s Cemetery in Campbellsport.