William "Bill" P. Blake

William “Bill” P. Blake, 67, of Athens, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Stoney River Memory Care in Marshfield, under the care of Interim Hospice. He was born on October 3, 1957, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to the late Clarence and Patricia (Muenzehuber) Blake. William married Lori Ellenbecker at the Wuertzburg Church on August 12, 1977.

Bill was a hard worker, a loving father and husband, and was active in his community and the lives of the people he loved. He was proud to be self-sufficient and resourceful, which was shown through his interests in landscaping, gardening, and joy in producing maple syrup each year. Bill did have to get creative and did his best to keep the pesky rabbits out of his garden. He worked for many years as a dump truck driver for Switlick and Sons, ran his own business, Bill’s Sharpening Shop, and had worked in the logging industry as well. He was an active community volunteer and was a member of the volunteer fire department. Bill loved being with his children and grandchildren, and he would enjoy watching their different sporting events and activities including football, baseball and wrestling. He also was a little league baseball coach, scout leader, and an outdoorsman. He always enjoyed his fishing trips to Canada and being out hunting. When he was out hunting it was a time to be out in nature, from the solitude of bow season to the camaraderie of rifle season with family and friends. Over the years his dogs brought him joy and companionship. Bill enjoyed the four seasons and the different activities that they brought: snowshoeing in the winter, hiking, and blazing trails other times of the year, and riding the trails on his four-wheeler. He kept his birds fed with full feeders and his hummingbirds hydrated.

Survivors include his wife, Lori Blake; son, Joshua Blake (Melissa) and their children, Vickram, Vaishali, and Bodi; son, Jonathan Blake and his child, Shaylon; siblings, Cyndi, Michelle, Tim, and Tony; step-mother, Bonnie; step-brother, Andy; and nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jeremiah; parents, Clarence and Patricia; sister, Tammy; nephew, Sam; and step-father, Jerry.

A celebration of life and time of sharing will be at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Private burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Athens, at a later date. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com.

A special thank you to the staff of Stoney River Memory Care and Interim Hospice for the care and support William received.