Bill Barr Oconomowoc, Wisconsin Obituary

Bill Barr

On January 14, 2016, the last chapter of the incredible life story of William (Bill) J. Barr was written. Bill, age 95, died peacefully at home in Dousman,WI. A loving husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa, Bill lived a life full of adventure. From hopping trains, to flying planes, to building trails and dams and getting into precarious situations with bulldozers, Bill lived life to the fullest. Born in 1920 to Lucille and Guilbert, Bill grew up between Racine and Kenosha, WI where he discovered his talent for engineering at an early age. At age 18, Bill built his first home for himself and his mother and lived in homes he built until he was 95. Bill attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison, studying mechanical engineering. He joined the Flying Badgers where he became a pilot. It was also during this time that a blind date would lead him to meet Dorothy, his perfect match. In February 1943, Bill married Dorothy, the love of his life. She became his best friend and “partner in crime” for the next 72 years of happy marriage. Bill served his country in WWII, first as a Marine divebomber pilot in the South Pacific and later as a Marine Corps flight instructor. Upon his discharge from the Marine Corps, the couple returned to Racine where they started Barr Construction Company, putting his engineering talents to work. He built almost 400 homes over 33 years. Throughout these years, Bill and Dorothy raised four wonderful children: Russ, Tom, Barbara, and Bonnie. Always the adventurer, Bill pursued his love of flying, first in his amphibious SeaBee and then a Cessna 180. One well known story involves rebuilding a wing using tree limbs after damaging his plane on a remote Canadian lake. He loved snowmobiling and even taught his children how to skip their machines across open water. He created two beautiful Northwoods retreats: the family cottage on Two Sister’s Lake and a log home in Price County. Bill was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, thoroughly enjoying his retirement years with Dorothy in their Northwoods paradise where he and Dorothy lived among the birds, deer, and bears, for the last 27 years. He was an avid traveler, visiting 34 countries and all 50 states. He had a passion for model railroading. He loved to run and share his impressive “Quartz Creek and Union Pass” multi-level train layout with their many visitors. Active in his community, Bill served in many different organizations over the years including the Racine Zoological Society, UCT, Kiwanis, Ogema Lions Club, and the Prentice Bushbenders Snowmobile Club. He served on the Board of Directors of Taylor Orphanage and Racine Savings and Loan/Southeast Savings. Bill’s incredible passion for life, sense of humor, and deep love for and dedication to his family will be surely missed. The lessons he taught us and the memories he gave us will live on in our hearts forever. He was an extraordinary example of how to embrace every opportunity for adventure and live life to the fullest. Bill is survived by his wife, Dorothy Barr, children Russ Barr (Patti) of Montrose, CO, Barbara Zuhlke (Kim) of Oregon, WI, Bonnie Barr of Whitefish Bay, WI, grandchildren Amber Zuhlke, Kristi Zuhlke and Jeff Zuhlke, Nate Bolyard (Hope), and Kali Behlmer (Kurt), great-grandchildren Chase and Charley Bolyard, cousin Betty Hall and his step sister Patricia Gapp. He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas J. Barr. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions to Bethesda Lutheran Home, 600 Hoffmann Dr., Watertown, WI 53094, Ogema Baptist Church, PO Box 556, Ogema, WI 54459, or charity of choice. Services for Bill will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 3:00 PM with a visitation for family and friends to start at 1:00 PM all to take place at the Ewald Chapel (375 Hwy. 67 Dousman, WI 53118 Three Pillars in the Ewald Chapel, Enter off of Hwy 67 and use the main entrance and the main parking lot straight ahead of you when you pull in.) A light luncheon will follow the service.
January 14, 201601/14/2016
Share Obituary:

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Obituary

On January 14, 2016, the last chapter of the incredible life story of William (Bill) J. Barr was written. Bill, age 95, died peacefully at home in Dousman,WI. A loving husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa, Bill lived a life full of adventure. From hopping trains, to flying planes, to building trails and dams and getting into precarious situations with bulldozers, Bill lived life to the fullest. Born in 1920 to Lucille and Guilbert, Bill grew up between Racine and Kenosha, WI where he discovered his talent for engineering at an early age. At age 18, Bill built his first home for himself and his mother and lived in homes he built until he was 95. Bill attended the University of Wisconsin - Madison, studying mechanical engineering. He joined the Flying Badgers where he became a pilot. It was also during this time that a blind date would lead him to meet Dorothy, his perfect match. In February 1943, Bill married Dorothy, the love of his life. She became his best friend and “partner in crime” for the next 72 years of happy marriage. Bill served his country in WWII, first as a Marine divebomber pilot in the South Pacific and later as a Marine Corps flight instructor. Upon his discharge from the Marine Corps, the couple returned to Racine where they started Barr Construction Company, putting his engineering talents to work. He built almost 400 homes over 33 years. Throughout these years, Bill and Dorothy raised four wonderful children: Russ, Tom, Barbara, and Bonnie. Always the adventurer, Bill pursued his love of flying, first in his amphibious SeaBee and then a Cessna 180. One well known story involves rebuilding a wing using tree limbs after damaging his plane on a remote Canadian lake. He loved snowmobiling and even taught his children how to skip their machines across open water. He created two beautiful Northwoods retreats: the family cottage on Two Sister’s Lake and a log home in Price County. Bill was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, thoroughly enjoying his retirement years with Dorothy in their Northwoods paradise where he and Dorothy lived among the birds, deer, and bears, for the last 27 years. He was an avid traveler, visiting 34 countries and all 50 states. He had a passion for model railroading. He loved to run and share his impressive “Quartz Creek and Union Pass” multi-level train layout with their many visitors. Active in his community, Bill served in many different organizations over the years including the Racine Zoological Society, UCT, Kiwanis, Ogema Lions Club, and the Prentice Bushbenders Snowmobile Club. He served on the Board of Directors of Taylor Orphanage and Racine Savings and Loan/Southeast Savings. Bill’s incredible passion for life, sense of humor, and deep love for and dedication to his family will be surely missed. The lessons he taught us and the memories he gave us will live on in our hearts forever. He was an extraordinary example of how to embrace every opportunity for adventure and live life to the fullest. Bill is survived by his wife, Dorothy Barr, children Russ Barr (Patti) of Montrose, CO, Barbara Zuhlke (Kim) of Oregon, WI, Bonnie Barr of Whitefish Bay, WI, grandchildren Amber Zuhlke, Kristi Zuhlke and Jeff Zuhlke, Nate Bolyard (Hope), and Kali Behlmer (Kurt), great-grandchildren Chase and Charley Bolyard, cousin Betty Hall and his step sister Patricia Gapp. He was preceded in death by a son, Thomas J. Barr. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate contributions to Bethesda Lutheran Home, 600 Hoffmann Dr., Watertown, WI 53094, Ogema Baptist Church, PO Box 556, Ogema, WI 54459, or charity of choice. Services for Bill will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 3:00 PM with a visitation for family and friends to start at 1:00 PM all to take place at the Ewald Chapel (375 Hwy. 67 Dousman, WI 53118 Three Pillars in the Ewald Chapel, Enter off of Hwy 67 and use the main entrance and the main parking lot straight ahead of you when you pull in.) A light luncheon will follow the service.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Bill Barr please visit our Tribute Store.

Events

Jan
18
Visitation
Monday, January 18 2016
01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Ewald Chapel at Three Pillars
314 E Village Court
Dousman, WI 53118
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail
Jan
18
Funeral Service
Monday, January 18 2016
03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Ewald Chapel at Three Pillars
314 E Village Court
Dousman, WI 53118
Get Directions
View MapTextEmail