William Cramer

William Cramer

February 06, 1952 - March 11, 2022

Send Flowers

Obituary

William Lee “Bill” Cramer, 70, of Platteville, WI passed away on Friday, March 11th at the University of Wisconsin hospital in Madison following complications of heart failure. He was born February 6, 1952 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Donald Wayne and Joan Jane (Bier) Cramer. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1970, and attended Mount St. Clare College in Clinton and the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls. 

Bill worked a variety of jobs throughout his life. He was a strong supporter of small businesses and for a few years owned a tavern in Platteville, WI and subsequently a gift shop in Clinton, IA. He was also an avid historian and one of his last jobs was working for Experience Works, Inc. at the Mining and Rollo Jamison Museum in Platteville, WI. He also supported and frequently donated to the Clinton Historical Society.  

Bill was a very dedicated member of his community and sought opportunities to actively contribute his skillset. He had been a past president of the Platteville Library Board and served on the Commission on Aging and Disability and Historic Preservation Commission. He was an active volunteer at the Platteville Senior Center and served as president of PASS (Platteville Area Senior Services).  

He married Debra Ann Wille May 29, 1982. They divorced in 1994. He is the biological father of 3 daughters: Joanna (Mitchell) Paykel, Julianna (Zachary) Cain and Susanna (Jon) Belschner. He is the adoptive father of 2 sons: David and Frank (Angela) Cramer. He is survived by 8 grandchildren. He is also survived by 3 brothers: David (Loren Kaneshige), Larry, Dale (Cindy) and a sister Vicky (David) Kruse. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Debra (Garvey) Cramer. 

A visitation is to be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 2nd at Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, WI. Memorial donations may be made to the Platteville Senior Center (peak@platteville.org). Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com,

 

Events

There are no events for William yet.

Photos

Add photos
of William
No photos of William have been shared yet.

Memories

Add a memory of
William
RE
Richard Edge
Other •
Rest in piece Bill you will be missed very much.
SB
Steve Babineau
Other •
I met Bill when he opened 7th Heaven, had alot of good times with him he will be greatly missed
LF
Love, Chris, Julie and Family
Other •
In Loving Memory of William "Bill" L. Cramer, Our hearts were saddened to learn of the loss of Uncle Bill. With this memorial we hope his legacy can continue to live on. We love you all! A Sympathy Gift of Group of 10 Trees has been Planted In Loving Memory of William "Bill" L. Cramer courtesy of Love, Chris, Julie and Family.
MK
MEL Kelly
Other •
I well remember Bill from our time in Platteville - his work and efforts and contributions to the community made it a better place to live and work. My heart aches for the family he left too soon. Please know he made a difference in our lives!!!
JC
Jeffrey & Jennifer Chase
Other •
So sorry for your loss
SG
Steven Goers
Other •
Bill and I first "met" before kindergarten when we lived across the street from each other. We went through grade school, middle school, high school, Mount St. Clare, and UNI. Bill was always interested in projects and new ideas. After the Clinton High School fire he helped move and clean the school's library collection. We both worked as pages at the Clinton Public Library where he was always coming up with new ideas to promote library usage. Bill loved Clinton County history and kept on the lookout for new items for the museum. He was a researcher and member of the Published History Committee that resulted in the bicentennial Clinton County history published in 1976. At UNI Bill was quite active in the programs at the Lutheran Student Center. Bill and I kept in touch through phone calls. It was a tradition to have a chat on our birthdays. We also called whenever one of us "felt the need." This continued to a series of calls the last couple weeks. I'm so glad we had the chats. We kidded that we were each other's "oldest" friends. The last time we talked Bill was still looking ahead and making a plan. Willona and I want to send our deepest sympathy to Bill's family. We join you in your loss.

Share memorial