William "Bill" N. Wolfe

William N. "Bill" Wolfe died in the peace of Christ on August 1, 2025 at the age of 87. He passed suddenly during a brief stay at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. His wife Judy and visiting clergyman Father Patrick were at Bills side when he passed.

Bill was born on August 7, 1937 in Waukesha, Wisconsin to Earl and Evelyn Wolfe. He was the first of seven Children.

Growing up in Waukesha; he attended St. Joseph School, Catholic Memorial High School, and Carroll University, while working at Roxo and other jobs to pay his tuition at CM and Carroll.

Bill had a passion for all sports, and as a kid helped to organize neighborhood baseball teams. At St. Joseph School, he played for the Mighty Mights, and at CM he played as a Crusader in all three sports.

At that time Memorial was a new school with a fledgling athletic program. Under the direction of Head Coach Alan Elger, the baseball team went on to win Memorials first State Championship in 1953. Bill helped the team win by pitching a no-hitter. Seventy years later, Bill and his team mates were inducted into the CM Athletic Hall of Fame. They were also three-time Milwaukee Catholic Conference Champions.

When Bill graduated from Memorial, he was offered the opportunity to play professional ball with the Cardinals and Senators. Instead, he followed a calling to teach, and earned his education degree at Carroll, beginning his life long vocation. He inspired his students to give their best effort and to enjoy the great adventure of learning, especially in math and literature.

It was in a school setting that Bill met another teacher and his future wife, Judy. They were married in 1982 with Bill's Best Man (and matchmaker) Don Anderson, at his side. This year, the Anderson's helped Bill and Judy celebrate their 43rd wedding anniversary.

Bill and Judy built their home in Vernon while living in Judy's barn/studio in Hartland. There, they had all the basic necessities: a woodstove, a tiny fridge, a double burner, hot running water, and indoor facilities. Life was good.

Bill enjoyed the simple things in life: Ice fishing with his dad and uncle and no shanty, pitching horseshoes with his family and neighbor after supper, and playing kick the can til dark. Later, he enjoyed giving the grandkids bumpy rides into the woods behind his tractor, and splitting wood at five a.m. Their two miniature donkeys delighted the grandkids and attracted a steady flow of visitors. They also kept Bill busy scooping out the corral.

Bill shared his birth year of 1937 with the Disney character GRUMPY, and received a new Grumpy shirt each birthday. He wore his shirts with a sense of pride and a mischievous grin, but under the grumpy shirt was a kind heart and jolly sense of humor that kept others laughing.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Evelyn (nee Pagel) Wolfe, and sisters: Mary Ann Wolfe and Suzanne Wolfe Gittus.

Bill is survived by his wife Judith (nee May); his daughters, Jennifer (Paul) Rushizky and Leslie (Christopher) Adams, and his grandchildren, Ruby, Leo, and Quinn. He is further survived by his sister, Trish (Ronald) Bizeau, brothers, Gerald (Nancy) Wolfe, Robert Wolfe, Michael (Deborah) Wolfe, many nieces, nephews, and his cousin Chris Waschow.

Bill will be deeply missed by his devoted wife and "soulmate" Judy, his dear family and faithful friends, his faith family at St. Joe's Parish, his caregivers at Linden Court who recognized his kind heart while also enjoying his special brand of humor; and especially by his loyal German Shepherd Dog, Leo.

Visitation at St. Joseph Catholic Church, S89 W22650 Milwaukee Ave., Big Bend, WI, on Thursday, August 21 from 10-10:45 AM. Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM. Interment to follow at Holy Apostles (Catholic Church) Cemetery, New Berlin. In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to St. Joseph Parish, Catholic Memorial H.S., or Golf For Wolfe and a Cure (to honor Bill's nephew Eric Wolfe).