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- Little Chute - William (Bill/ Willie) J. Verhagen, 72, of Little Chute passed away while holding hands with his wife and 4 children on December 28, 2017 after a heroic battle with cancer.
Bill has touched so many people in this community with his countless contributions to his home village of Little Chute. He served 24 years on the Little Chute Volunteer Fire Department, was a long time member of St John's Athletic Association and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. He coached basketball for 100's of kids over the 18 years of his coaching career and taught them the most important parts of the game, sportsmanship and fundamentals. Bill was a member of Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258 - Little Chute, Knights of Columbus, past member of Urban Klister American Legion Posst 436 - Wrightstown, St John's Renew group and he and Judy worked on the Baptism, Confirmaton and Marriage preparation classes for years for St John's. He volunteered at the US Venture Open and sat on the Little Chute Fire Commission as well.
Bill was a man that would help anyone and tried to fix anything if you asked or knew you needed help.
He was born on March 7, 1945 in Appleton, WI to Edward and Rose (Nackers) Verhagen. Bill and Judy (Vandenberg), who were married on September 23, 1967, celebrated 50 years of marriage together. Their adventures were many, and they always put God and Family in the forefront. They enjoyed camping, fishing, and many outdoor activities together. Their last adventure was exploring the great wild west this August. His children and grandchildren were the center of his days and nights. He taught, and enjoyed with them, fishing, ice fishing, water skiing, downhill skiing, camping, hunting, home projects and attended every event possible. His children are: Craig and Tammy Verhagen, Wrightstown, WI; Cathy and Mark Beck, Waterford, WI; Judd and Heather Verhagen, Wrightstown, WI; and Jill and Bob Donvan of Heber City, Utah. His beautiful grandchildren are: Joshua and Hannah Verhagen, Granthem and Taitum Beck, Rae Verhagen, Casey (David) Head, Robert Kyle Donovan, and Luke Donovan.
He is survived by his brothers: Carl (Karen) Verhagen, Jerry (Karen) Verhagen, Dan (Patti) Verhagen, and sister Marie (Geno) Pafford; in-laws: Jo (Cliff) Verstegen, Paul (Pam) Vandenberg, Mary (Steve) Mischler; God-children: Joan (Peerenboom) Eckes, Greg Verhagen and Kristine (Verhagen) Liesch; nieces: Sarah, Katie, Vicky, Sally, and Wendy; nephews: Steven, Tim, Jeff, Ben, Scott P, Jerry, Scott V, David, Ryan and Jeff; and his special great nephews, Ryan and Jack and their mom Jen.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rose Verhagen; in-laws, Harry and Marie Vandenberg; sisters, Mary and Joan Verhagen; and special niece, Danielle Vandenberg.
He served in the U. S. Army Reserves for 6 years. After discharge, Bill was devoted to work as Manager of Larry's Piggly Wiggly for 42 years, making many lifelong friends and memories as the manager that never sat still. After retirement, he spent his spare time painting and gifting his oil paintings to his friends and family, fishing, spending time on Big Lake in Three Lakes, WI, enjoying time at the YMCA and spin class, working seasonally at Simon's Cheese, putzing, traveling to Alaska, and seeing his grandkids and their events.
Bill will be missed by many because of his life passion of giving to others and making sure everyone had a good time with him. He has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be given to the people and place that helped him with his fight against cancer at Fox Valley Hematology with thanks to Dr. Conkright, Krystal NP, Sarah SW and the entire staff. Please donate to the Fight Back Foundation in Bill's name.
Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at ST. JOHN NEPOMUCENE CATHOLIC CHURCH (323 Pine St. Little Chute) with visitation at 2:00 p.m. until Mass at 5:00 p.m. The Rev. Msgr. James Vanden Hogen will officiate. Military honors, conducted by the Jacob Coppus American Legion Post 258 will immediately follow. To sign the guest book, please visit oconnellfh.com.
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1945 - 2017 (72 years)
