William "Bill" Bauer, 98, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Prairie Pointe Assisted Living in Altoona, WI.

Born on September 9, 1926, in Red Wing, MN, to Ruth and Fred Bauer, Bill grew up with a strong sense of duty and service. At 17, he left high school to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving from 1944 to 1946. He achieved the rank of Seaman First Class and was stationed at NTC Farragut, Idaho, for training and aboard the USS Vella Gulf (CVE 111), an escort aircraft carrier operating near Okinawa where his job was working on the bridge, overseeing the planes as they took off and landed. After the war, he returned home and completed his high school education.

Bill's post-military life brought him to Chippewa Falls, WI, where he found both meaningful work and a lasting home. Over the years, he held several jobs, but he is most proud of the management work he did at the Farmer's Union Coop and CESA-10. He retired at age 72, having built a career marked by dedication and community involvement. As a passionate advocate for his adopted hometown, Bill also was a proud member of the Chippewa Falls Chamber of Commerce as well as the City Council for a number of years. It was in this capacity that he was able to be an instrumental player in the launching of the city's Pure Water Days festival, helping shape it from concept to reality, something he says is one of the greatest accomplishments of his life. His contributions played a significant role in its initial success.

Though he retired in 1999, he kept himself busy with membership and volunteer work with several local organizations: the Chippewa Moose Lodge # 246, the Chippewa Falls American Legion Post 77, and the Eau Claire VFW post 305. It was at the Moose Lodge that he met his final life partner, his wife, Judy Jones, which is also where they were married on May 13, 2017. Together they traveled, volunteered, remodeled their home, spent time with friends, supported each other in all they did, and loved immensely.

In his free time, you were most likely to find him tinkering around with different projects in his yard, gardening, fixing things, doting on his wife, or, at Christmastime, decorating his house and yard to the 9's for the holidays - his work on this was his pride and joy every year.

Bill was many things, to many people. He will be remembered as a wonderful friend, a wonderful husband, a wonderful step-father, and a wonderful grandfather. He was a selfless man, always trying to meet everyone else's needs before he ever considered his own. Even in his final days he was saying "I wish there was something I could do for you." He never waited to be asked to help - he just would - even if he really couldn't... or shouldn't - and always with a smile.

Bill is survived by his wife, Judy Jones; his step-daughters, Becky (Jim) Bunkelman and Tamara (Autumn) Jones and their children; and his long-time dear friends, Sandy and Andrea Karpe.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Ruth Bauer of Red Wing, MN; Anne Bauer (1999) and Ophelia Bauer (2009).

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 3:00pm on Monday, June 23, 2025 at St. Charles Catholic Church, 810 Pearl Street, Chippewa Falls, WI., with Msgr Michael J. Gorman officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Military honors will be performed by VFW Post 305. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Beaver Brook Township.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Eau Claire VFW Post 305 (1300 Starr Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54703); Chippewa Falls American Legion Post 77 (12 E Spring St. Chippewa Falls, WI 54729); or Lily Hospice (W63N545 Hanover Ave. Cedarburg, WI 53012).

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Prairie Pointe Assisted Living and the Lily Hospice care team for their compassion and support.

Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Online condolences may be shared at www.lenmarkfh.com.