William "Bill" Seidel

Racine – William “Bill” Claud Seidel was a unique man and the Lord chose a unique day, Leap Day, February 29, 2016, to take him Home at the gracious age of 90. He spent his last days surrounded by his large family, who were returning the love that he taught them to share. 

Bill was a lifelong resident of Racine, WI. He was born here on June 27th, 1925 to William and Laura Seidel.  As a young man he helped his father run Wink Soap, an industrial soap company that his father started in his garage and later moved to 940 Garfield Street on the city’s northeast side. Through this family venture, Bill learned the art of business that he would use throughout his career. 

Bill was a lifelong patriot and loved his country. After proudly serving in both the Pacific and Atlantic Theaters as a US Navy gunner on merchant ships during WWII, Bill married his sweetheart Elaine (nee Christoffersen) on May 1, 1948, by whom is he survived in death. Together they raised four children, Bill (Linda), Diane (Frank Miller), Peggy (Dan Schmidt), and Bob (Bonnie). When their children were young, Elaine worked evenings as a registered nurse and Bill spent his time after work caring for their children, a rare thing in those days. They would play games, read and he’d frequently feed them “breakfast for dinner,” which is Seidel family code for a bowl of cereal. He wasn’t much of a cook, but he was one hell of a dad.

Wood was not only his career–he spent most of his working years as a Vice-President at Kenosha Lumber and Caledonia Crating–but his passion. His family best remembers him in a white undershirt and well-worn blue jeans, with a pencil behind his ear and covered in sawdust. He was always willing to help a friend build a garage, remodel a basement or put up a fence, as long as it involved wood.  For years, he spent his free time making hundreds of intricate wooden intarsia art pictures, which he took great pride in gifting to family and friends and occasionally selling at art fairs so he could buy more wood or tools. Even in his last months, Bill began carving fancy walking sticks for his relatives and friends. Neither age nor illness could keep his hands still and away from his beloved wood projects.

Bill loved cocktail hours, cribbage, the Catholic church (he was a longtime member of St. Lucy’s parish), and telling the same old dad jokes over and over, always with an inextinguishable, rascally sparkle in his eyes. He never ate a meal that he didn’t like. He was a tremendous listener, and thoroughly absorbed the details of whatever someone had to say.  He was also a great storyteller, especially recounting his exploits in WWII.

Bill spent many joyful winters with his wife Elaine as snowbirds, enjoying the RV lifestyle in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. But, no matter where they went he always made room for a few woodworking tools. Those times remained some of the best memories of his life. Who can blame him? 

One of the highlights of Bill’s life was when in 2010 he realized his dream of taking an Honor Flight to Washington DC to visit the National WWII Memorial, in recognition of the time he spent serving the US Navy.

Bill will be fondly missed by his wife, his four children and their spouses, his six grandchildren and their spouses, and his ten great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, acceptance, understanding and love.
He was an incredible man and will be a great asset to the Lord when He needs something built out of wood.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 12:00 noon in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Military honors and a luncheon will follow. Visitation will be in the church on Monday from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. Private interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials to St. Lucy Church, Hospice Alliance or to the “Stars & Stripes Honor Flight” have been suggested.

A heartfelt note of thanks to the wonderful staff of Home Harbor and Hospice Alliance – Hospice House for the compassionate care and support given in Bill’s time of need. May God bless all of you!