William Ramsay 04/01/2016

William (Bill) Ramsay died at his home in River Falls, WI on Friday, April 1, 2016 in the company of his faithful dog.  He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, son, William III, and wife, Joan.  He is survived by four children, Ruthann of Rochester, MN, James of Concord, New Hampshire, Lisa of Somerset, WI, John of Wauwatosa, WI and 4 grandchildren.  Bill was born in Niagara, WI in 1928 where his penchant for adventure began-spending his childhood roaming the north woods.  After graduating from Niagara High School, he completed a degree in mathematics and physics at UW-Madison.  Following his discharge from the Army in 1953, he married Joan Ann Hanson of Stevens Point then moved to Manistee, MI.  Five years and two children later, he and Joan moved to Appleton where they had three more children.  Bill loved his work around the huge machinery of the paper making industry as the pulp mill superintendent for Appleton Coated for 34 years.  Bill’s life passions included his family, faith, music, aviation, construction, and dogs.  He was dubbed ‘the amazing bass’ in the McDowell Male Chorus of which he was a member for 23 years.  He took up piano at 80 and played his baby grand with vigor.  He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association since 1970 and built his own riveted aluminum kit plane after receiving his private pilot’s license.  Bill remodeled a small ranch house into a large, comfortable home for his family of 7 with sizable workshop in the back for himself.  The wood-strip canoe and bent-frame snowshoes he crafted were put to good use at the cabin he rebuilt on the WI-MI state line- his ‘old stomping grounds.’  Always and everywhere a beloved canine at his side.  His family will hold a private graveside service in Appleton this summer.  Cremation services provided by Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services of River Falls.