William (Bill) Neils passed away peacefully on September 3, 2024. Per his wishes, he passed away in the very room in which he was born, surrounded by his wife of 70 years, along with his loving family.

Bill was born on December 17, 1933 to William Sr. & Hattie (Platz) Neils. He attended Dewey School, then graduated in 1951 from Elkhart Lake High School.  Bill married Theresa Nett on June 26, 1954.  Together they raised their family on the homestead where he enjoyed dairy farming, tending the land and eventually, raising steer. He thoroughly enjoyed cutting the wood to heat their home, as well as mowing his lawn, which he wanted to do until his final days.

Bill was a longtime member of the Sheboygan County Farm Bureau.  He also acted as the Town of Rhine Inspector, as well as an usher and Cemetery Manager for St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church.

As a person who enjoyed working with his hands, he was a great woodworker, creating items for his family.  Together with his wife, Bill enjoyed bowling, snowmobiling, square dancing & sheepshead in several card clubs.  For the past 20 years he loved competing at lawn games with his large, loving extended family.  He left this life as the Neils' Family Bocci Ball Co-Champion.  He will always be remembered by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren for his smile & his amazing ability to find a rhyme to any word.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Sr. & Hattie, and his infant son, Scott; family members, Ruth & Hank Arpke, Milan & Beatrice Neils, Arlene & Hugh Gahagan, Gladys & Milton Mueller, Warren & Mutzie Neils, Lois & Dale Brault, Elwood Neils, Jean (Hammerschmidt) Neils.

Bill is survived by his wife, Theresa, as well as his brother, Jerome Neils, along with sister-in-laws Joyce Neils & Carol Nett; brother-in-laws, Tom & MaryAnn Nett and Ken Nett.  Surviving children are Steve & Chirie Neils, Darlene & Mark Piccone, Jeff & Jean Neils, Todd and Karri Neils, and Cheryl Neils & Jane Kirchhoff.  Bill was loved by his 12 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and many nieces & nephews.

Funeral Mass for Bill will be held at 3:00pm on Monday September 9, 2024 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church (94 S. Lincoln St. Elkhart Lake)  A time of visitation will take place at Church on Monday from 12:00pm until 2:45pm when we will have brief family rites before Mass. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Nicholas Hospital who took great care of Bill. In addition, all memorial contributions will go to Sharon S. Richardson Hospice in honor of the amazing team who helped care for Bill and the entire family for the past month.