William Reitter
February 27, 1926 — March 23, 2017
William Joseph Reitter, age 91, of Mount Morris, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at Heartland House in Wautoma.
He was born February 27, 1926 in Chicago, IL the son of Joseph Edmund and Constance Lydia (Albin) Reuter. He married Shirley Mae Smith on July 2, 1949 in Key West, FL. She preceded him in death on December 9, 1999.
Bill grew up in and near Milwaukee. He served his country in the Pacific Theatre for the US Navy during World War II. Returning from the war, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida State University, then returned to Milwaukee. He worked about 40 years as the Safety Director for GM’s AC Spark Plug and Delco Electronics manufacturing plants in Oak Creek, WI. Shortly after retirement, he and his wife built and moved to a home in Mount Morris.
He was a proud and loving husband, father and family man. He made friends easily any place he went and liked to sing and whistle. He enjoyed fishing, boating and vacationing, especially in Eagle River, WI. He was mechanically inclined and used these skills throughout his life.
He was a founding member of Florida State’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, established February 1950. He was a member of the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. Bill belonged to Wautoma Chapter 98 Order of the Eastern Star, Wautoma Masonic Lodge 148 and the Zor Shrine. He loved to ride his scooter in weekend parades while he was an active member of the Mascoutin Mavericks.
He is survived by three children: Diann (Gene) Benesh, Eau Claire, Thomas (Annabeth) Reitter, Wisconsin Rapids, Barb (Dennis) Crawford, Glendale, AZ; four grandchildren, Andrew (Emily) Benesh, St. Louis, MO, Laura Benesh, Denver, CO, Alison Reitter, Ogden, Utah, Stephanie Reitter, Aubrey, TX; one great grandson, Simon Benesh; and his special friend, Bernice Gaylord, Wautoma.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents.
Private interment will take place at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield, WI at a later date. If desired, memorials may be sent to Heartland House in Wautoma or Agnesian Hospice/Hope, Green Lake, WI.
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