Robert A. Will
Robert A. Will, a lifetime resident of Janesville, was called to his eternal home January 30, 2016. He was born July 29, 1924, to the late Carl and Elizabeth (Neitzel) Will.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Clarice J. Will (nee Nelson); beloved sons Randall (Karen) of Franklin WI; Robert II (Mina) of Eagan, MN; and Richard (Karen) of Olathe, KS. He will be dearly missed by grandchildren Kathryn (Nathan Kalmoe) Will, Alex Will, Perry Will, Ana Weiser (Nate), Brian Will and Elizabeth Will. He is also survived by his sister, Jean (Will) Riepl, and a plethora of loving nieces and nephews. . In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sister, Ruth Kowal.
Bob graduated from Janesville High School in June, 1942. The following month, he was hired at the local GM plant as a stenographer, specifically to record the Management/UAW Local 95 Union meetings. In March, 1943, he began his service in the U.S. Army 106th Infantry Division. After completing basic training, he was promoted to Company Clerk and transferred to Divisional Headquarters as a court-martial reporter for the Divisional Judge Advocate. He served in the European Theater of operations during 1944, participating in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes in December of that year. He was honorably discharged in November, 1945.
Upon his return from the war, he was reinstated to the Personnel Department at GM where, in 46+ years of service, he administered all areas of the hourly and salaried benefit plan programs, as well as continuing to record management/labor meeting contract negotiations. Bob hired hundreds of applicants seeking employment on the newly-added second-shift Chevrolet passenger assembly line. Through the years, Bob enjoyed meeting former GM workers who recalled being hired by him.
In September of 1954, Bob married the love of his life, Clarice J. Nelson, at First Lutheran Church in Janesville. He was a devout, life-long member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he diligently served in numerous capacities: Sunday School teacher, elder, and as chair or member of numerous committees. He derived great pleasure singing in choir for many decades. Bob was also a member of the Golden “K” Kiwanis Club and life member of the VFW Kienow-Hilt Post 1621. His hobbies in retirement included European travel, photography, and writing entertaining Christmas letters.
Bob’s family extends their thanks and appreciation for the care and support provided him by the staffs of St. Elizabeth Home, St. Elizabeth Manor, and Cedar Crest Continuing Care Community.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, at ST. PAUL’S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH with Rev. Daniel Decker officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in Milton Lawns Memorial Park. SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY is assisting the family.
