Glenn R. Wille, age 83 of Shawano, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2018 at Bellin Hospital in Green Bay.
Glenn was born on July 7, 1935 in Milwaukee to Herbert and Florence Wille. He graduated from Washington High School, then attended Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a minor in Business Administration. He served in the Army Reserve Corp. and was called up with his reserve unit during the Cuban Missile Crises. Glenn was enrolled in a pre-theology program, however he chose to forego seminary and enrolled in the University of Wisconsin graduate school of Psychology.
Glenn worked as a human resource director for a variety of businesses. He was recognized as a skilled labor negotiator which took him from Myrtle Beach, NC to San Francisco, CA, and places in between. He would often recall his first job at the Wisconsin Telephone Co., and stories of the switchboard operators and the party lines, or point out Fox Farm equipment in fields made at Koehring Corp., Appleton as he drove through rural areas. Though he had been employed at Harley Davidson, his family was never able to convince him to get a motorcycle! His job at Marinette Marine placed him where he loved to be… near the water. His job at Patrick Cudahy had the benefit of delicious hams – his favorite meat. His job with Stauffer Chemical in San Francisco challenged his negotiating skills, as he had eight chemical plants throughout the west. It also allowed him to travel and learn about new places. Glenn completed his career as an adjunct professor at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, retiring in May of 2016 six years after he began there.
Glenn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Shawano, serving as Clerk of Session, singing in the choir, and serving as worship leader in the pastor’s absence. He was active in the Kiwanis Clubs in Oshkosh and Shawano, and was also a Mason. Glenn enjoyed boating, golfing, and reading, coming home from the library weekly with an armful of books. On June 21, 1973 he married Judith Wetzel in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Survivors include his wife of 45 years, Judy, not because of biology but through their shared living experiences throughout their marriage; his daughter, Amy Gorges of San Francisco, CA and her daughter, Tara; Tara’s children, Ella and Lucy; his son, Kent (Dee Dee) Koehler of Shawano and their two sons, Andrew and Matthew; his daughter Ann’s son, Evan Ebert, and his father, Chris Ebert; his brother, Gerald (Judy) Wille and their three children, David, Bonnie, and Jenny; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Glenn was preceded in death by his daughter, Ann Ebert.
A funeral service for Glenn R. Wille will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at the First Presbyterian Church of Shawano. Pastor Blake Blakesly will officiate. Burial will take place at Elias Lutheran Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM at the church and continue until the hour of service.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements