In Memory

Bill Cory - Class Of 1957 VIEW PROFILE

William O. Cory
June 23, 1939 - November 14, 2017

 

        

William O. Cory, of Mequon, passed away on November 14, 2017 at the age of 78.

He was born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin and graduated from Washington High School in 1957. Bill served in the Wisconsin Air National Guard from 1956 through 1962.

He met Marlene Dupont while attending the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and they married in Kimberly Wisconsin on November 25, 1961. They were married for 56 years having three children and six grandchildren.  Bill graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1962 earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in economics. 

In 1956 he joined the family business, Wisconsin Magneto Company, eventually becoming President and owner until retiring in 2003. During that time he transitioned the company from an auto parts supplier to a major distributor serving the outdoor power equipment industry.  He loved the sound and the smell of a running engine whether it was a lawn mower, garden tractor, snowmobile, motorcycle or an outboard motor.   Most of his earliest years with Wisconsin Magneto were spent traveling throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan holding training sessions for engine mechanics. 

Bill had many hobbies, including collecting post-war Lionel model trains and rebuilding antique outboard motors.   He was an avid reader with a wealth of knowledge about history and enjoyed many friendships.  Perhaps his favorite place, other than the seat of his garden tractor, was the family’s Door County cottage on Clark Lake.  He was known as “Papa” to his six grandchildren whom he adored.

He is survived by his loving wife Marlene, daughter Julie Polzin, her husband Mark Polzin and their daughters Sydney and Haley; son David Cory, his wife Margaret (McMahon) and their daughters Celia and Juliet; son Patrick Cory, his wife Anne (Schwartje) and their sons Evan and Elliot; his sister Mary Richardson; his brother Robert Cory and nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 18th at Lumen Christi Parish, 2750 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon from 10:30am until Mass of Christian Burial at 12noon, followed by a lunch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Columbia St. Mary’s Foundation (supportcsm.org) at 2320 N. Lake Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53211 or Working Boys Center in Ecuador (www.c4wf.org), 12605 W. North Avenue #130, Brookfield, WI 53005.

 

Schmidt & Bartelt

 

https://www.schmidtandbartelt.com/obituaries/detail.aspx?id=11151





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