Chief (Retired) William R. Bouma, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away at the Aurora Medical Center-Mt. Pleasant on Sunday, November 6, 2022.  He was born in Waukegan, IL on December 29, 1947, the son of the late William and Janet (nee: Lord) Bouma.

Bill started college at Western Illinois University and then joined the U.S. Navy serving during the Vietnam War from 1969 until 1972.  He returned to college and graduated.  From that point he served his country and community his entire life.  After college, Bill taught in the Gurnee School District from 1975-1978.  He then stared his career with the Waukegan Fire Department on 10/2/1978 as a firefighter and paramedic, rising to the rank of Captain retiring on 10/2/1999.  That same day he started in his new position as Fire Chief on the Mr. Pleasant Fire Department.  He was the last Chief of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department and the first chief of the South Shore Fire Department, retiring on October 4, 2012.

In April of 1977, he was united in marriage to Susan Lee Jackson.  Bill was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Waukegan, the Mount Pleasant Kiwanis Club, founding member of the Racine Water and Rescue Response Team, past President of the Racine County Fire Chiefs Association, and introduced the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division #102 to Racine County.  Bill was also a huge supporter of Wisconsin Area Burn Camp.

Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Susan, their two sons, Michael Hansen of West Allis, and Kenneth Bouma of Indianapolis, IN.  Grandchildren Autumn Hansen, Bailey Hansen and Carley Hansen; their mothers Cristy Hansen and Jessica Hansen.  Sister, Joann (Jack) Dubs, of Beach Park, IL; Brother Jack Bouma of Ingelside, IL; and Sister-In-Law, Phyllis Bouma of Gurnee, IL.  He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and fellow firefighters.  In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Dick Bouma.

Bill was kind, respected, admired and loved by family, friends and all who were lucky enough to know him including his fur baby, Sparky.  He will be greatly missed, and our world will never be the same without him.

Service Details

His funeral service, with full military and fire-fighters honors, will be held in the funeral home on Sunday, November 13 ^th , at 3:00 p.m., with Chaplain Gary Miller officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home from 12 O'clock Noon until the time of the service.

Memorial Suggestions

The family has suggested memorials to the Wisconsin Burn Camp, 321 E. Main St. Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703, the South Shore Fire Department, 3900 Old Green Bay Rd. Mt. Pleasant, WI 53406, the Racine Fire Bells, P.O. Box 081042 Racine, WI 53408, or the Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, 5775 Post Rd. #1912 East Greenwich, RI 02812.