William E. Stiefvater, age 78, of Manitowoc, died unexpectedly after a long illness on Monday, June 7, 2021.

Bill was born February 24, 1943 in Sheboygan, son of the late Lawrence and Verna (Reineck) Stiefvater.  He grew up on the family farm near St. Nazianz.  Bill was a graduate of Kiel High School with the class of 1961.  He graduated from Wisconsin State College in Oshkosh in 1966. He was awarded a scholarship to attend UW Milwaukee for post graduate study and later transferred to UW Madison.  In 1968, while attending UW Madison he was drafted, serving in the U.S. Army from November 1968 until November of 1970.  While serving in Vietnam, Bill served as the Commo Chief, Hdq. Co. 2 ^nd Battalion 22 ^nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion 25 ^th Infantry Division.

Bill always looked forward to spending time with his brother's family, never missing special events with his niece and nephew and their families.  He enjoyed traveling extensively around the world.  Bill always shared his travels with his family and friends when he arrived home along with his famous slide shows.

He was an active member of many veterans organizations throughout the state.  In 1972 he started his career helping veterans throughout the state of Wisconsin. He initially worked for the State of Wisconsin, then as a Claims Officer in Milwaukee County, and most recently as Manitowoc County Veterans Service Officer for 17 years, retiring in 2003.  He helped many Manitowoc County veterans apply for benefits when they needed assistance. Bill was proud of his accomplishments both in the military as well as assisting fellow veterans.  He helped the Manitowoc County Veterans Council build a memorial located across from Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc for all veterans from the county who died in wars.

Bill is survived by his brother, Thomas (Donna) Stiefvater, Ephrata, Pennsylvania, one niece and one nephew, Jennifer (Loren Smith) Stiefvater and Matthew (Sara) Stiefvater, and five great nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Verna Stiefvater.

Per Bill's wishes, cremation has taken place.  A memorial service will be planned in the fall for Bill and he will be laid to rest at his parents' gravesite in New Holstein City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Bill's lifelong commitment to helping veterans, donations can be made in his name to the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076.