William “Bill” Frederick Strutz

William “Bill” Frederick Strutz entered eternal life peacefully at Ascension Hospital in Racine, WI on Wednesday, March 11th at the age of 85 after a battle with congestive heart failure. 

Bill was the first child born to Frederick and Kathryn Strutz in Neenah, WI on November 22nd, 1940. Bill graduated from Neenah High School and stayed on the family farm which he later purchased from his dad. After learning that owning a farm wasn’t for him, he enrolled at Milwaukee School of Engineering. He met the love of his life, Jane Joecks, in Hortonville, WI. They were married on June 26th, 1966 in Lannon, WI. They moved to Freeport, Illinois where Bill worked at Micro Switch for 10 years. The family then moved to Racine, WI in 1977 where Bill started with Dremel Tools. He joined the InSinkErator division of Emerson in 1987 and remained there until retirement. He finished up his Engineering career at In-Sink-Erator at 76 years old, still working part-time up until then. He always said, “It wasn’t work if you love what you do”.

Bill first and foremost was an unapologetic Christian. He was a shining example of what it meant to be a willing servant in God’s Kingdom. He served as Church President at Epiphany Lutheran Church, STEM volunteer at Shoreland Lutheran High School and on the IPSC at Wisconsin Lutheran School.

Secondly, Bill was a devoted family man raising four children with Jane. He loved working in his garden at home. He loved traveling with Jane to warm weather in the winter to see far away relatives as well as to see the leaves in New England in October. Annually they would go to Arizona to see their youngest daughter Missy and watch the youngest grandson Max. He loved seeing the Brewers in Spring Training while there in AZ.

Bill never forgot where he came from and found the same model of tractor he operated on the farm as a boy. He restored it and loved taking care of it. He joined the local Allis-Chalmers tractor club and also became very involved in the chapter. You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can never take the farm out of the boy.

During his “retirement,” Bill helped establish a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) program at Shoreland Lutheran High School in Somers, where all his children attended. Under his guidance, Shoreland became one of the top STEM programs in the state of Wisconsin. Bill’s tireless volunteer work and his expertise in engineering earned him a place in the Shoreland Hall of Fame, an honor that the most humble man was extremely proud of. He will be inducted at a special ceremony at Shoreland on April 11, 2026. 

Bill wrote this parting thought to pass along, “Our life on earth is short, life eternal is forever. My father taught that it is not important what God gave you, but how you take care of what God gave you. God’s grace is free. Jesus died for all. Believe in Jesus and I will see you in heaven.” 

Bill was preceded in death by his father Frederick, mother Kathryn, brother-in-laws Willie and Larry, niece Sandy and nephew Keith. He is survived by his beloved wife Jane, his children Rod (Terri), Nate (Elizabeth), Shelley and Melissa (Sean), grandchildren Victoria, Jordyn, Case, Caleb, Julia, Carrick, David, Josie, Carmen, Elijah and Max. His siblings Betty, Judy (Gene), Jerry (Marti), Nancy and Paul (Joy), as well as nieces, nephews and 9 great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be held at Water of Life Lutheran Church at 2921 Olive Street in Racine on Tuesday, March 31st from 9 – 11am with a service in celebration of Bill’s life to immediately follow. Per Bill’s wishes he will be cremated. After the service, there will be a pizza luncheon at Infusino’s on Rapids per Bill’s request where we will be able to tell stories and remember his life. In lieu of flowers, donations to Water of Life Lutheran Church and the STEM program at Shoreland Lutheran High School in Somers, WI would be greatly appreciated in Bill’s name. 

The family would like to thank the staff of health care workers at Ascension for making Bill comfortable in his final days on earth. We would also like to thank family, friends, and coworkers for the amazing outpouring of love and prayers that we received during this difficult time.

Casey Family Options Funerals & Cremations

3016 75^th Street Kenosha WI 53142

262-653-0667

www.caseyfamilyoptions.com