William Robl

William “Bill” A. Robl, age 76, of Pickett, WI, died on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, in Mt. Dora, Florida.

Bill was born July 16, 1939 in Oshkosh, WI, to William H. and Lucille (Last) Robl. He married Rose Mary Allard on May 1, 1965, in Green Bay, WI. Bill learned carpentry skills at an early age from John Reimer and worked for several contractors until he began his own business building and remodeling homes. Special building projects he was involved in included the Omro Bow hunter’s Club, the Pickett Community Center, the Washington Building, and the Fire Barn at the Oshkosh Public Museum. Bill was a true craftsman, creating beautiful cabinetry, molding and circular staircases.

He served in the Army and Reserves, and was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church of Ripon. He was a past member of the Pickett Lions Club, the Town of Utica Volunteer Fire Department for over 25 years, a life-time member of Omro Bowhunters Club and Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, and a present member of Winnebago Archers. He was on the founding board for the Pickett Community Center and so enjoyed volunteer work at the senior center meal site there.

He was a successful bow hunter of Wisconsin deer and Colorado elk, enjoying hunts with family and special friends over the years. He was especially proud of the 5-by-5 bull he shot in Colorado in 1992, and the 225-pound buck he shot at his daughter’s land in Amherst in 2013. Bill would fish at any opportunity on the Flambeau Flowage near his cabin in Springstead, WI, which he built with his father and brother, and on Lakes Butte des Morts and Winnebago near his home. His fishing buddy, Walter Stewart introduced him to central Florida crappie fishing, and he was immediately hooked. Just as much as catching fish, he loved to prepare fish fries for family and friends.

He waited long for grandchildren, and wasted no time sharing his love of archery and fishing with his grandson, Brett. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren at the cabin and never tired of giving them tractor rides through the woods. To improve his health, he worked hard to lose weight this last year, and recently met his weight loss goal of 32 pounds. When he set his mind to something, he made it happen.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rose of Pickett, WI; children, Bill J. (special friend, Donna Rieck) Robl of Winneconne, WI, Mary Robl of Amherst, WI and Joan Johns of Ripon, WI; grandchildren, Brett Raymond and Carly Rose Johns of Ripon, WI; sister, Donna (Walter Stewart) Vaughn of New London, WI and Leesburg, FL; brother, David (Mary) Robl of Oshkosh; brother-in-law, Richard Elmer of Oshkosh and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Marlene Elmer and brother-in-law, Ralph Vaughn.

Visitation for Bill will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016, from 9 – 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 228 Blossom St., Ripon, WI 54971.

Memorial Mass for Bill will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Ripon. Reverend Robert A. Fictum will officiate. Inurnment will take place at a later date at Liberty Prairie Cemetery in the Town of Utica. A memorial is being established in his name.

The family appreciates the care given by the staff of Florida’s Orange County Trimble Park, and the efforts of Orange and Lake County Sheriff’s Departments, Orange County Fire Department, and Florida Fish and Wildlife Service.

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