William Delzer Obituary

With hearts full of gratitude and sorrow, the family of William "Bill" W. Delzer Jr., age 88, of Cecil (formerly of Oconto Falls), shares the news of his passing at home on Monday, March 24, 2025. Bill was a man of unwavering faith, hard work, and dedication to his family and community, leaving behind a legacy rooted in God's love and grace.
Bill was born in the family home on March 28, 1936 to William Sr. and Elsie (Wendt) Delzer. He was a 1954 graduate of Oconto Falls High School, where he was involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including football, track, Ag basketball, and FFA. He received numerous awards during his FFA career, and was voted to the Prom Court. After high school Bill took night classes in agriculture and purchased the family farm from his parents. He started with few cows, using milk cans and a threshing machine. Over the 50 plus years that he farmed he made many improvements, including purchasing more farmland, new machinery, and building structures.
On June 20, 1959, he married Donna Mae Genke at St. John's Lutheran Church in Gillett. Together they farmed and raised a family. A highlight was receiving the Century Farm award on the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of Hardwood Farms. Bill was well known for making maple syrup, as well as growing and selling potatoes. He hosted the Oconto County Breakfast on the Farm and served as a 4-H leader for the community. He was very active at his church, serving on many boards and committees over the years. Bill was very proud to watch his sons and grandsons play football for his alma mater. While two of their children have taken over the farm, he and Donna could often be found helping out whenever needed. This was especially true for over twenty years each fall when they hosted a pumpkin festival, known as "Delzer's Pumpkin Farm." Thousands of people attended each year, and the entire Delzer family pitched in to make it special for all the families who visited.
Bill and Donna retired to Cecil, Wisconsin, in 1998, where they bought a home on Shawano Lake. Together they enjoyed lakeside living, though they always missed living on their farm, where so many happy memories were made. Bill especially enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family, including many trips across the US, Canada, and even as far as Africa.
Bill loved to reminisce and share stories with his grandchildren, always trying to pass on his wisdom, sense of humor, and deep faith in God. Nothing was too broken for Grandpa to fix, and he was a quiet but fierce card player. Bill lived by this motto: "Learn what you can, and no one can take it away from you."
Bill is survived by his wife of 65 years, Donna, and his five children: Gerri (Gary) Friedman, Brent (Amy) Delzer, Jay (Amy Myrick) Delzer, Jill (Tim) Wentworth, and Joel (Jessica) Delzer. He is further survived by 17 grandchildren: Ryan (Jenny) Friedman, Stefanie (Matt) Wendt, Heidi (Andrew) Smaney, and Emmie (Dylan) Kamm; Hannah (Paul) Christenson, Clark, and Michaela (Noah Ahlswede) Delzer; Joshua, Jessica (Andrew) Sellen, Riley (Mackenzie), Brice, and Brianna Delzer; Vanessa (Zach) Treml and Alyssa (Jake) Deviley; and Isabella, Elizabeth, and Gabriel Delzer and 12 great-grandchildren: Landon and Laikyn, Dakota, Griffin, Zander and Lillian, Brenley, Summit, and Vesper, Hutch and Josie, Olivia, and three additional great granddaughters arriving this summer. Bill is also survived by sisters MaeJean (Byron) Aprill and Marilyn Mayer, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William Sr. and Elsie Delzer, siblings Otis, Robert, Kenneth, Helen (Black), and grandson Grant Delzer.
A celebration of Bill's life will be held on his birthday, Friday, March 28, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Gillett, WI. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., followed by a service of thanksgiving at 11:30 a.m. Bill will be interred at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. John's Lutheran Church's Carillon System (bell music).