Bill Desing

Bill Desing ended his earthly life and began his new life in heaven on Monday, June 20. He was an extraordinary man who lived his life for others in a quiet and humble way that inspired all who knew him.

Bill was born on August 17, 1930 to Harrison and Marie (nee Herbst) Desing. He grew up in a happy and loving home as the youngest of five. All of his educational years were spent in Catholic schools - St. Elizabeth grade school, Messmer High School and Marquette University where he earned a BS in Business Administration after serving in Germany with the United States Army. Through those years and those that followed, he developed a deep faith, nurtured especially by the Capuchin Fathers and Brothers and the Notre Dame Sisters that would sustain him throughout his life.

He met his soul mate and light of his life, Mary Pipia, before he entered the service. And although she wouldn’t “take a ring” after just three months of dating, she said “yes” when he returned, and they were married on October 6, 1956.

Bill and Mary raised six children who enjoyed an idyllic childhood in simpler and less complicated times. Although not a family of material wealth, the Desing household was rich in love, laughter and wonderful times that became the sweetest of memories. There were weekly neighborhood “Boys vs. Girls” baseball games with Bill serving as “all-time pitcher,” annual summer vacations with all eight Desings piled into the (non-air-conditioned) family station wagon, and nightly dinners that could go on with conversation long after the meal was finished. Those trips and dinners grew to become the annual trek “Up North” and the weekly “Pasta Night” which was an almost legendary tradition. The bungalow on Weil Street in Riverwest was always the center of neighborhood activity, constantly filled with friends and relatives.

One of Bill’s greatest passions was Marquette University basketball. He raised all of the kids and grandkids to be Marquette Warriors. He always promised that one day Marquette would win the NCAA championship and that he would take the family to watch the parade down Wisconsin Avenue when they won. It came in true in 1977 with the two oldest girls who were attending MU at the time finding their dad and siblings on a street corner as they ran down the avenue in celebration.

Besides his family, Bill’s greatest accomplishments were playing key roles in saving two schools. In 1969, following times of civil unrest in Milwaukee, St. Elizabeth’s became Harambee Community School. There were racial and social conflicts surrounding the change and words often became heated. At one memorable meeting, Bill took the floor and said simply, “I want my children to love all people.” All six children stayed and graduated from Harambee, and Bill served on the Board and as Treasurer of the school for many years. A similar scenario occurred in 1984 when the Archdiocese closed his alma mater, Messmer High School. He was the man who famously spoke up at a meeting the diocese was holding to discuss other high school options with parents. Bill stood up and declared, “Rather than talking about what new schools we are going to send our children to, let’s talk about how we can save this school.” The “Save Messmer” movement was born. Bill worked tirelessly, again as Board member and Treasurer to make the finances work, even taking out a second mortgage on the family home to make a payroll. Today, Messmer is one of the most successful urban high schools in the nation.

Bill worked for 33 years at M & I Bank in the trust department. To many of his “customers” as he called them, he was more than a banker; he was a guide and friend. He treated all with the same care and concern he gave to his family and friends, going beyond the normal duties of a bank officer to impact lives in a positive and lasting way.

In addition to his beloved wife Mary, Bill’s legacy is being carried on here on earth by his six children and their spouses who were as close to him as his own sons and daughters: Joan and Jim Feiereisen, Patty and John O’Connell, Bill and Karen Desing, John and Jayne Desing, Mary and Jim Seewald and Jim and Tina Desing. He also lives on in his 17 grandchildren Caitlin Feiereisen Klister and her husband Andy, Chris Feiereisen, Andy O’Connell and his wife Lisa, Dan, Ben and Tim O’Connell, Eleanor and Vincent Desing, Erin, Annie and Jack Desing, Will, Kate, Zach and Michael Seewald and Sara and Nathan Desing. They will be joined by two great- grandchildren in the coming months.

Leading the way to heaven in addition to his parents were Bill’s sisters Betty (Gene) Groom and Marion (Bill) Kleis and his brother Harrison “Bud” (Shirley) Desing. His memory is carried on in the hearts of his sister Harriet Wilde, his sister-in-law Angie Pipia and his brother and sister-in-law Basil and Barbara Pipia as well as scores of devoted friends.

The family wishes to thank Dr. John Miller for his many years as Bill’s primary physician, cardiologist Dr. Robert Roth for nearly 20 years, the wonderful nurses at Columbia St. Mary’s intensive care unit who worked so hard to make his last days comfortable and the dozens of health professionals who cared for him over the past twenty years. Many thanks as well to Fr. Jerry Schroeder who helped Bill and his family not only through those last days but for many years earlier.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 23 beginning at 4:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. A Mass in celebration of Bill’s life will be held Friday, June 24, 10:30 AM at Holy Family Church, 4825 N. Wild wood Avenue, Whitefish Bay. Memorials to the House of Peace and Holy Family Parish School are appreciated.

In keeping with the way he lived his life, the service will be one of joy, not sorrow. And although there will be tears, there should also be laughter.

Schramka Funeral Home

7841 W. Appleton Ave.

Miwaukee, WI 53218

(414) 464-4040