William L. Hinrichs

POYNETTE  --  William L. Hinrichs, age 83, of Poynette, a longtime Madison and Westfield resident, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2015 at Country Terrace in Poynette.

William was born on November 19, 1931 in Madison, the son of Llewellyn and Alice (Jensen) Hinrichs. Bill was a graduate of Madison East High School. He worked as a stone mason and locksmith, owning City Wide Lock and Key in Madison and was a partner with his brother at Teal, Inc. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and had been a member of the Madison Lodge. Bill was an Eagle Scout, a pilot and enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to tinker, and was instrumental with his brother in starting the Wisconsin Hot Rod Association. Bill was a Korean War combat veteran. His greatest love was his family.

He is survived by his children, Charles (Kathy) McKenzie, Sun Prairie, Linda (Michael) Gauer, Poynette, Daniel (Jackie) Hinrichs, Reedsburg, Richard Lange, Madison, and Bethann (Chris) Lesnick, Portage; 18 grandchildren  and 18 great-grandchildren; and the other children who shared his life; brother, Robert (Betty) Hinrichs, Monona,; sister, Joyce Adams and her husband LaVerne Johanson, Arizona; brother-in-law, Edward Locke, Washington State; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, Gwenn, Thea and Barbara, sons, William, Bruce, and Michael, step-daughter Debra, sister, Kathryn and brother-in-law John Adams.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage with Agrace Hospice Chaplain, Rev. Gloria Stubitsch officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Portage Area Veteran’s Honor Guard. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Kelley and Christy and all the staff at the County Terrace in Poynette.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.