William F. "Bill" Amend

PORTAGE  --  William “Bill” Francis Amend, age 70, passed away at home on Thursday, September 24, 2015.  Bill was a lung cancer survivor but lost his eight year battle with prostate cancer.

He was born on December 21, 1944 in Portage to Bernard (BJ) Amend Sr. and Jane (Sweeney) Amend.  Bill attended St. Mary School, graduated from Portage High School in 1963, and obtained a degree from Wausau Technical Institute in 1966.  Most of his career was spent in the plastic industry, including holding the position of President and CEO at Portage Industries Corporation.

Bill exchanged wedding vows with Margaret “Peggy” Langbecker at St. James Church in Madison on August 11, 1977.  They began their 38 year journey together living on Lake Mason in Briggsville before moving to Swan Lake in Pardeeville. Fort Lauderdale, FL was a second home to Bill, where he entertained family and friends while spending the winters there with Peggy.

He traveled through life in fast cars and on fast boats, and was a true outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing trips in Florida and Canada, water and snow skiing, and scuba diving.  Bill was the go-to repairman and knowledge resource for friends and family when they needed home or automotive help, and he always seemed to have the right spare parts for the job.  Bill focused on helping others and not asking for help himself; we hope everyone will understand his desire to keep his last days private.

Bill is survived by his wife, Peggy; children, Sarah (Lucas) Tevis and Kyle (Christina) of Madison; brothers, James (Terri), Thomas and Timothy (Dawn), all of Portage, Dan of Texas; his sister Joanne (John) Van Wie of Wisconsin Dells; sisters-in-law, Pam Amend of High Wycombe, England and Sally Kipfer of Madison; and his beloved grandson William “Will”, who always brought a smile to his face.  Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers BJ II and BJ III; stepfather, Warren York; mother and father-in-law, Lois and Kenneth Langbecker; sisters-in-law, Sue Amend and Mary Langbecker; and nephew, James Amend.

The family would like to extend their thanks to all those who have offered support and prayers.  Also to the staff at Agrace Hospice Care, the UW Urology Clinic, and the UW Oncology Clinic, especially Dr. Justine Bruce.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2015 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church in Briggsville, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl presiding.  Burial will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Briggsville. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2015 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the UW Carbone Cancer Center, online www.uwhealth.org, or by mail, Attn: Katie Williquette, 600 Highland Ave. K4/658, Madison, WI 53792-6164 or to the Portage Elks Lodge No.675, PO Box 316, Portage, WI 53901-0316.