Willis "Bill" L. Emerson

Willis L. Bill Emerson, 90, of Barnesville, Minnesota died Friday, November 19, 2010 in the Good Samaritan Society, Barnesville. Memorial Service will be Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 2:00 in Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Barnesville with Pastor Ingrid Skilbred officiating. Dale Rollie will serve as soloist accompanied by organist Shelley Holmstrom. Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Theresa, Wisconsin. Bill was born to Edward and Vernie (Hillard) Emerson, on October 17, 1920 in Brandsvold Township, of Polk County, Minnesota. He was orphaned as a young boy around 8 years of age, and was subsequently raised by his sisters and their families. Bill entered the U.S. Army on August 6, 1942 and served at the rank of private, operating heavy military equipment. He saw action in Central Europe and also served in Africa and the Middle East. Bill received the Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal with two Bronze Stars as well as the Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged on December 7th, 1945. In 1946, Bill moved to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area for work, joining his brother Curt who also lived in Milwaukee. His brother Larry was to join Bill in Wisconsin in 1948. Bill would meet his wife and spend much of his working career in southeastern Wisconsin. On September, 15, 1951, Bill married Angeline Angie Rusch in Milwaukee. They were married for 45 years until Angies death in 1996. Bill and Angie ultimately settled in Theresa, Wisconsin where Bill worked for many years at the Broan Company, a manufacturer of residential ventilation products. Throughout the years, Bill owned a sod farm, drove a gravel truck and owned and operated Emersons Corner Tap, a bar and grill in Theresa. Bill is survived by one brother, Larry (Norma) Emerson of Weme, Minnesota; one sister-in-law, Winnie Emerson of Moorhead and his special friend, Virgil Holt. Known to everyone as Uncle Bill he is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Bill is preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings, Charles, Leslie, Lillian Fjerstad, Effie Handy, Nobel, Kenneth, and Curtis. Bill will always be remembered for his warm and humorous personality and his ability to strike a friendship with anyone he met. He always had time for a visit, a story, a joke, a cribbage game and a kind word. He will also be remembered for his undying commitment to Angie, particularly as she struggled with her long battle with multiple sclerosis. Arrangements entrusted to the Dobmeier Funeral Home, Barnesville. Online guestbook at www.dobmeierfuneralhome.com