Born in Olney, Illinois on October 11, 1931, Bill left this world on September 23, 2018.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and their four children: Nancy, and husband Dan Asmussen of Madison, Wisconsin; Tom, and wife, Dee of Plano, Texas; Janet, and husband Bob Heiner, who reside in Waupaca, Wisconsin; and Barbara, who lives with husband Steven Cross in Leawood, Kansas. Grandchildren are: Steven, Michael, and Alex Alston; Paul, Chris, and Reed Richards; and Grace and Spencer Cross. Step-grandchildren are Tyler and Blake Asmussen, Tina Clegg, and Nick Rompa. He leaves four great-granddaughters, Aliyana Alston, and Bailey, Riley, and Avery Richards. Bill has a surviving sister, Phyllis Lieber (Ronald), in Webster Groves, Missouri.
Bill grew up in Olney and after high school attended the University of Illinois. He and Shirley (whom he dated in high school), were married in 1954. They then moved to Maplewood, Missouri where he attended Washington University Medical School, graduating in 1957. After his residency, they moved their family to Appleton, Wisconsin where Bill practiced his specialty, orthopedic surgery, for almost thirty-two years. He served as chief-of-staff at Appleton Medical Center for three years.
Upon retiring, Bill and Shirley moved to Tucson, Arizona, where they enjoyed the drastic change from Wisconsin in weather, floral, fauna, and architecture. They made many visits in the summer to their cottage in Waupaca, Wisconsin, enjoying time with family and visiting old friends. In May 2018, after he became ill with pancreatic cancer, he and Shirley moved into a retirement home in Prairie Village, Kansas.
A believer in life-long learning, Bill always enjoyed traveling, reading, and attending classes at Olli (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute), where he sometimes led classes. He also enjoyed hiking, biking and especially tennis.
Bill not only had a sharp mind, he was astute at getting to the heart of the matter. He was always scrupulous, never gave advice without being asked, and when asked, always gave his best.
A private celebration of his life will be held at the Cross home in Leawood, Kansas on Sept. 29, 2018.