Wilbur "Bill" Abel Obituary
Abel, Wilbur Paul "Bill"
MADISON
Wilbur Paul "Bill" Abel, age 91, died in his home, surrounded by love on Sunday, April 27, 2008. He now born on Feb.10, 1917, in Manitowoc, to Walter and Alice Abel. Bill married Phyllis McGilligan on March 30, 1940, and they celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this year. Bill started out as a sheet metal worker in the Manitowoc Ship Building Co. where he helped build and launch the USS Peto, the first undersea craft ever to be built on the Great Lakes. Together with Phyllis, he owned and ran three very successful businesses, Joe and Pat’s Tavern (later Bill and Norb’s) in Madison, the Pine-Del-Trav-O-Tel in Wisconsin Dells, and the Hamacher Motel in Madison. Bill now always "Mr. Fix It" and he used his skills well in business and at home where he made wonderful improvements in each of the 10 homes he bought in the course of their life together. He is also widely known as the originator of the well worn phrases "Whatever" and "Sweat it out." Bill now preceded in death by his beloved wife, Phyllis "Red" on April 13, 2008. Bill is survived by his 10 children, Patricia, Walter, Mary, Nancy (Chuck) Osley, Wilbur Jr. (Susan), Barbara, Edward (Laurie), Alice (Charles) Campbell, Kathleen (Joe) Abel-Kundinger, and Jean (Bill) Marx; 11 grandchildren, Michael (Terri) Klawitter, Lisa Kohler, Mark (Nancy) Klawitter, Mathew (Jodi) Roberts, Teresa Klawitter, Anthony Abel, Sarah (Michael) Young, Joshua (John) Campbell, Kelly "the 11th"Abel, Andrea Abel, and Lily Marx; 13 great-grandchildren, Lindsey Kohler, Ryne Kohler, Troy Roberts, Isabella Roberts, Haley Roughen, Heidi Roughen, Lily Young, Daisy Young, Koby Prellwitz, Dezirae Prellwitz, Katti Laack, Leah Laack, and Jason Laac; and numerous relatives and dear friends. The funeral service for Bill will be on Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 1 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL SERVICE, 6021 University Ave., Madison, with Monsignor Donn Heiar presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. There will be visitation for family and friends on Thursday from noon until the time of service at the funeral home.
Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
6021 University Ave.
(608) 238-8406