Born in Berlin, Germany on April 23, 1928. Entered Eternal Life on June 29, 2016 at the age of 88. Loving husband of the late Nancy Jean Rice, whom he married on October 10, 1959 in Milwaukee, WI. Beloved father of William J. Gaus of Denver, CO, Mary (James) Bartzen of Madison, WI, and Julie (Michael) Phillips of West Hartford, CT. Cherished grandfather of four grandchildren, who brought him great joy and pride: Ellen Jean and Catherine Rice Bartzen, and Elizabeth Rice and Michael McGrath Phillips. Bill is further survived by his brother Paul Gaus, his sisters-in-law Rosemary Steuber and Sheila Russett, and his brother-in-law James Rice. Bill was loved and will be missed by many relatives and dear friends.
A graduate of Marquette University, where he received his B.A. in 1951 and his Law Degree in 1954, Bill proudly spent the majority of his career with the Marshall & Ilsley Trust Company, eventually serving as Senior Vice President until his retirement in 2011.
Bill was a member of the American Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin and Milwaukee Bar Association. He served as Treasurer and Member of the Executive Committee, as well as the chairman of the Probate Practice and Procedure Section of the Milwaukee Bar Association. Bill was also a member and past President of the Milwaukee Estate Planning Council, the Barristers, and Marquette University's President's Executive Senate and Advisory Committee on Planned Giving.
Bill’s civic activities included membership on the Board of Directors of the Walter Schroeder Foundation, Inc., the Evan and Marion Helfaer Foundation, the Albert and Flora Ellinger Foundation, and service as a director of the Mary Martha and Emmet J. Doerr Charitable Trust.
Bill’s community activities included serving on the boards of Friends of the Milwaukee Public Museum, Columbia St. Mary’s Health System, the Milwaukee Catholic Home, the Visiting Nurse Association, and Dominican High School.
Bill was honored to receive the Marquette University Alumni Service Award in 2006 and the Doerr Tradition of Caring Award in 2007.
Bill lived life to the fullest, taking advantage of every opportunity to enjoy family and friends, the arts, gardening, music, reading, tennis and golf. He was especially grateful that he and his beloved Nancy were able to see so much of the world.
Visitation will be held from 9:00AM to 10:00AM on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Old St. Mary Parish, 836 N. Broadway, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery.
In loving memory of Bill, memorials may be made to All Saints Parish, 4060 N. 26th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53209 or St. John’s Foundation, 1840 N. Prospect Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
