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William Harlin ENGEL

Male 1924 - 2012  (87 years)


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  • Name William Harlin ENGEL 
    Birth 21 Mar 1924  Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death 4 Feb 2012  Stoughton, Dane County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Burial Highland Memory Gardens, Cottage Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • William H. "Bill" Engel, age 87, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, at Nazareth House in Stoughton.

      He was born on March 21, 1924, in Madison, the son of Jesse and Kathryn (Harlin) Engel. He graduated from Madison East High School in 1941, and furthered his education at UW-Madison, majoring in engineering. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in February of 1943, at the age of 18. Bill served his country for two tours of duty in France, Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg in World War II. He served with General George Patton's First Army and was in the first replacement detachment in the Battle of the Bulge. He was on the front lines for 154 days without relief, as an artillery sergeant.

      Bill was united in marriage to Genevieve "Gen" Catherine Hoffman of Westport, on Nov. 12, 1955. In 1957, Bill co-founded the UW Madison Orthotic Lab. As director and certified orthotist, he designed, built, and fitted orthosis for the severely disabled for 33 years, with many of his inventions written up in the Medical Archives. Bill shared his time and talents in Monona his entire adult life and was considered an icon of the community. He was a charter member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Monona Volunteer Fire Department serving as a training officer, and American Legion Post 429 serving as an officer for 50 years. Bill served on the Monona Village Council for four years, then for 24 years on the police and fire commission, 12 years as president. After retirement, his many activities included volunteering for Kiwanis, Meals on Wheels, highway clean up, Wilmar Soup Kitchen, St. Stephen's Food Pantry, Salvation Army, and presenting student scholarships among others.

      Bill's interests included restoring classic cars and boats, and he played league softball until he was 75. He learned to play the piano, organ, violin and harmonica through classes at MATC and had a beautiful voice which he shared in the IHM choir. Bill's most recent big experience was the Badger Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12, 2011. He regarded this as one of the greatest honors of his life. Bill was truly a faithful servant of God, his family, and community. He was an inspiration and mentor to many and was loved and admired by all who had the opportunity to know him.

      Bill is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Gen; his daughter, Kristi (Tim) Panthofer; his cherished granddaughters, Annalise, Olivia, Katie (Jon) Boone and Betsy; great-granddaughter, Isabelle; sisters, Connie Homan, Betty Jo (Ken) Kruska and Mary (Dick) Neuman; sisters-in-law, Cherie (John) Nuepert and Jerry Hoffman; brothers-in-law, Jerry Kessenich, Howard Hoffman and Ed Wronkowitz; and many nieces and nephews.

      He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim (Mary) Engel; sisters-in-law, Jane Wronkowitz and Mary Kessenich; and brothers-in-law, Marv Homan and Joe Hoffman.

      A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH, 5101 Schofield St., Monona, at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, with Father Bart Timmerman and Monsignor Gerard Healy concelebrating. Military Honors will follow immediately after Mass. Burial will be at Highland Memory Gardens, following a luncheon at the church. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., Pass and Review at 6:30 p.m. with Rosary to follow, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, and also at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Thursday.
    Person ID I16809  Don Carlson's Tree
    Last Modified 2 Aug 2013 

    Father Jesse LeRoy ENGEL,   b. 19 Apr 1885, Pepin County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 May 1966, Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 81 years) 
    Mother Kathryn HARLIN,   b. 20 Dec 1896, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 2 Sep 1985, Dane County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years) 
    Marriage 29 Sep 1920  Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F6534  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Genevieve Catherine HOFFMAN,   b. 23 Oct 1929, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 15 Oct 2018, Dane County, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 88 years) 
    Marriage 12 Nov 1955  Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church
    Family ID F12299  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 3 Sep 2022