William (Bill) I. Kessler, joined the Lord on March 3, 2019.
Bill was born October 14, 1927 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to William and Hedwig (Gruber) Kessler.
When he was a child his family moved to Sheboygan.
On September 10, 1977 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth (Betty).
Bill joined Vollrath company in 1943, as a Tool and Die Maker Apprentice, and advanced to Senior
Product Development Engineer. After proudly serving his country in the Navy, he returned to Vollrath in
1948. Bill truly loved his work. He especially enjoyed creating new products and was awarded numerous
patents. Bill retired after 60 years with Vollrath on January 29, 2004 and continued to consult for several
years.
Bill was a member of Sheboygan D’Werdenfelser Schuhplattler Club and danced for many years. He was
a member of the Sheboygan Elks Lodge and Pine Hills Country Club, where he made many friends. He
was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Parish.
Bill loved, fishing, golf, hunting, and playing cards. He took great pride in caring for his yard and was very
proud of his flower garden.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife Elizabeth (Betty) Kessler, his daughters Kendal McLamara, and Sue
(Gary) Kessler-Scholl, step-daughter Janice (Rick) Schindler, grandchildren Reed William Scholl, Bradley
Scholl, Stuart Scholl, Louisa Scholl, step grand-children David Badura, Tamara Badura, Erin (Steve)
Saarinen, Collin Schindler, great step-grandson Arlo Badura, and step-daughter-in-law Judy Badura.
He is preceded in death by his parents, twin sister Frieda (Al) Goetz, sister Jeanette Zimmerman, step-
son Thomas Badura.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2019 at Noon at Ballhorn Chapels Funeral &
Cremation Care Center, 1201 N. 8th St. Sheboygan, with Father Gideon Buya officiating. Relatives and
friends may visit with the family from 10:00 am until the time of service, at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation
(diabetesresearch.org.) or UW Carbone Cancer Center Melanoma Fund (UWhealth.org/waystogive).
Bill was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and dear friend to many. A kind and
gentle man, Bill was the ultimate optimist, and an inspiration to all who knew him.
Please visit our website to leave your condolences for the family at ballhornchapels.com.
