William "Bill" Harold Runge

William Harold Runge of Wind Lake, Wisconsin went to meet his Lord on February 21, 2025, with his family by his side. William, also known as Bill, Dad, Papa, Grandpa of the City, Uncle Bill and “The Buff” was a man of strong spirit and grit. Throughout his life, family and friends meant everything to him. He passed along his strong convictions, tough love, and tender compassion to all of those who were blessed to have known him. Bill enjoyed writing and telling stories about his fishing and hunting exploits.

Born on June 27, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Harold Otto Runge and Inez (Fairden) Runge, Bill was raised by his father Harold, grandmother Helen (Magdelena Schram) Runge, and his Aunt Lillian and Uncle Jacob Tellier. Bill and his cousins Jerry and Jake spent their youth growing up on the north side of Milwaukee. Bill attended Rufus King High School where he met the love of his life, Marion Louise Prohl.

After graduation, Bill enlisted and served his country in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1963, aboard the USS Mazama during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon being honorably discharged, he married his high school sweetheart Marion on September 18, 1965, and they built a life together in Wind Lake, Wisconsin. They were married for 59 years and sweethearts for 66 years.

Bill, for most of his life, was employed at Harnischfeger (P&H) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin primarily working the night shift for 37 years. This allowed him the flexibility to pursue his passion for hunting and fishing. He also found time to become a volunteer firefighter and certified paramedic for the Wind Lake Volunteer Fire Department. He served five years and rose to the rank of lieutenant. During this time, he met, helped, and befriended numerous people in and around the Wind Lake area forging a tight-knit extended family of friends. This family introduced Bill to duck, pheasant and deer hunting at Horicon, Wind Lake, and Buffalo County. Being an avid Wisconsin sports fan, Bill could be found listening to or watching the Milwaukee Brewers, Green Bay Packers, and the Wisconsin Badgers with a beer in hand.

In 1970 and 1973 Bill and Marion were blessed with two children, Danielle Marie (Runge) Johnson and Michael William Runge, raised eight dogs and opened their lives to Henry Bayer in 1988, grandfather to Marion and great-grandfather to Danielle and Michael. Many a summer evenings, Bill and Grandpa could be found on Waubeesee Lake fly fishing for bluegill and bass in Bill’s twelve-foot boat, the “Minn”.

Upon retirement from Harnischfeger in 2002, Bill and Marion’s lives were blessed again with five grandchildren and four nieces and nephews. Much of their time was spent attending their sporting events, dance recitals, and of course, introducing them to the great outdoors through fishing trips in Webster, Wisconsin. In his immediate family, Bill will be remembered as being a great provider, always willing to help or advise when asked.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Marion of Wind Lake, Wisconsin, his daughter, Danielle and son-in-law Tim Johnson of Strum, Wisconsin, son, Michael and daughter-in-law Brett Runge of Deadwood, South Dakota. He is also survived by five grandchildren (Emma, Grace, and Hannah Johnson and Jonas and Elijah Runge), his brother-in law, Ronald Prohl, and his wife Dale and four nieces and nephews (Tina, Tony, Angie, and Nick).

Visitation will be held at Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home (225 W Main St, Waterford, WI) on Monday, March 3, 2025, from 5 to 8pm.

Visitation and a service will be held at St. Clare Catholic Church in Wind Lake, Wisconsin on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Visitation will begin at 9:30am with a Mass of Christian burial to follow. Interment will be held at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wisconsin at 1pm. Following the interment, lunch will be provided at Kelly’s Bleachers in Wind Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown, Heights, NY 10598 or www.guidingeyes.org

The families are grateful to all who helped and supported us during this difficult time.

Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home is proudly serving the Runge family.

• Mealy-Stencel Funeral Home 
• 225 W. Main Street Waterford, WI 53185
• 262-534-2233
• www.stencelfh.com