William (Bill) John Maersch, Town of Washington, age 79, passed on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at the ThedaCare Medical Center of Shawano.

He was born to William (Bill) and Esther (Kaat) Maersch on September 24, 1936 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Bill was baptized, made his first communion, and was confirmed at Holy Name Catholic Church in Sheboygan.  On July 15, 1961 he was united in marriage to Jeanne Roewardt at the same church.

He graduated from Central High School, Sheboygan; Sheboygan County Teachers College, Sheboygan Falls; and the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Science Degree, grades 1-8; and a license in art education grades 1-12. He also received a scholarship to attend Bemidji State College, Minnesota for one summer.  Bill taught grades 1-8 in the one-room Holden School near Plymouth, Wisconsin for three years.  Teaching in the School District of Bonduel followed that.  For three years, he was the teacher for combined fifth and sixth grades and two years in grade five.  He then taught art, grades 1-12 and was the art coordinator throughout the district for 27 years.  Prior to and after retiring, Bill taught art classes at Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, Northeast Technical College, Green Bay, and summer school for the School District of Shawano.

He was a member of the 4-H Key Club Committee for more than 35 years teaching art classes and was a judge for several professional art shows and county fairs. As an artist, Bill exhibited his metal art work:  jewelry, metal art sculptures, painting, tissue paper collage, and more at shows throughout Wisconsin, earning numerous 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes plus Best of Show awards.  He was commissioned to create metal sculptures for Bellin Hospital, Green Bay; J.J. Keller and Associates, Menasha; L.B.J. Distributors, Fox Valley; Elks Club, Wausau; Green Bay Packaging, Green Bay; Meridian Building, Madison; J.I. Case Co., Rock Island, Illinois; Fond du Lac Yacht Club; Zion Lutheran Church, Shawano; Best Western Motel, Shawano; Lakeland College, Sheboygan County as well as various doctors, lawyers, clinics, veterinarian offices, the School Districts of Shawano and Bonduel, and private individuals.  Art creations are located throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii and in more than nine other countries.

Being a jeweler, Bill created an ordination for Bishop Samuel J. Wylie of Menominee, Michigan, doctors, news broadcasters, and others. Bill also did jewelry repair work for individuals and several jewelry stores.  He was featured in numerous newspapers throughout the state, was interviewed on a variety of television programs, and won a nation-wide contest to be one of three people featured in a television commercial for Piper Jaffrey Investment Inc.

Bill loved being outside, regardless of the weather. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, but mainly appreciated the outdoors and watching animals and the birds at his bird feeders.  As a child, Bill was a Boy Scout and when 13 years old, made 14 wooden boats out of orange crates and put them into Lake Michigan with his name and address.  One boat made it to Manistee, Michigan in two weeks.  As a result, he was featured in the Sheboygan Press Newspaper after being contacted by the individuals who found it.

During retirement, he was a substitute teacher in the School Districts of Gillett, Shawano, and Bonduel. In addition, he supervised special needs students in work environments, evaluations, and tutoring.  He also cared for an autistic male several days per week for about 20 years.

He was proud to serve his country as a member of the National Guards from June 11, 1955 to his discharge on January 11, 1961 as a Sgt. E5 grade.

Jeanne, his wife of 54 years, daughter and son-in-law, Trini Shaun and Gregory John Senzig, and grandchildren, Samantha Marie Senzig and Johnathan Nicholas (Andrea McDonald) Schneider survive Bill.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William (Bill) Maersch and Esther (Kaat) Maersch, in-laws, Carl and Bernice (Freimuth) Roewardt, as well as several aunts and uncles.

Per Bill's request, a private family service was held. Because of his love of animals, expressions of sympathy would be appreciated for the Shawano Humane Society.  Swedberg Funeral Home of Shawano was in charge of funeral arrangements including cremation.

Special appreciation goes to Father Luke and the wonderful people in the ThedaCare emergency room and the ThedaCare Medical Center for the awesome care they gave to not only Bill, but also his family. Samantha, Trini, Greg, Johnathan and his lady Andrea were monumental in Bill's journey to heaven.

www.swedbergfuneralhome.com