Francis J "Bill" Gurnee Obituary (1939 - 2016)

Francis J. "Bill" Gurnee On March 29, our beloved Francis J. "Bill" Gurnee passed away after a long and arduous battle with both COPD and Cancer. Bill was born on August 14, 1939 in Taycheedah, Wisconsin to Eva Gurnee (deceased). Bill was raised by his Uncle and Aunt, Wilbur and Bertha Froehlich (deceased), along with his two "sisters" Dorthy J. White (deceased) and Sylvia M. Froehlich. Bill was raised in Appleton, Wisconsin and graduated from Appleton High School in 1957. Following graduation, Bill enlisted in the US Air Force in August 1957. While assigned to Reese AFB outside of Lubbock, TX, Bill married the love of his life, Jackie Sliter, on August 11, 1961. During Bill's Air Force service, he was stationed overseas on three separate occasions, twice in Germany and once in the Vietnam War in Phan Rang where Bill received a Purple Heart. Bill retired from his Air Force career in 1980, after 23 years of service, and chose a career in civil service at Hill Air Force Base, being known as "Bill from Hill". After another 23 years of civil service, Bill retired in 2003, pursuing traveling, golfing with "the boys", antiquing, and cookie jar collecting. Bill and Jackie joyfully celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and their first real "wedding" on August 11, 2011. After 76 years of life, and 54 years of marriage, Bill is survived by his loving wife Jackie, their 4 sons; William (Denise) Gurnee, Michael (Kim) Gurnee, John Gurnee (Gillie Wyatt), and Christopher (Rebecca) Gurnee, 12 grandchildren; Dezerae Irvin, Colby Irvin, Steven (Sarah) Gurnee, Kyrie (Eric) Thacker, Drew Hill, Andrew "AJ" Gurnee, Austin Gurnee, Haley Gurnee, Taylor Painter, Drew Painter, Corbin Gurnee, and Chloe Gurnee, and 8 great-grandchildren. Bill has left a joyful legacy of love and honor, touching the lives of anyone he met with a heartfelt sense of humor that left even the most innocent bystander laughing with joy. His abundant friendship and love echo in the lives of his family and friends, continuing to bring peace and laughter. A viewing will be held in Bill's honor on Thursday, March 31st, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Myers Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84404. A viewing will also be held in Marshfield WI on Saturday, April 2nd, from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm, at Hansen Schilling Funeral Home, followed by funeral and burial services, in Neillsville, WI. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden 100 Monroe Blvd. Ogden, UT 84404 March 31, 2016 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM CemeteryNeillsville Cemetery Neillsville, WI April 2, 2016 1:30 PM ServiceGraveside Neillsville, WI April 2, 2016 1:30 PM