William R. Steines

William "Bill" R. Steines, 67, of Wausau, passed away Thursday April 24, 2014, at his home surrounded by his family and friends. Bill was born Jan. 13, 1947, to the late Ray and Lorraine (Eilers) Steines in Marshfield, WI. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1965. Bill served his country honorably in the US Army during the Vietnam War where he earned the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal among others. His bride of 45 years, he married Donna J. Imhoff on June 8, 1968 at St. John Catholic Church, Edgar, WI. He is survived by his two sons, Aaron (Allison Wammel) Steines of Houston, TX and Brian (Gina Goetter) Steines of Toronto, ON and his two granddaughters Siena and Tegan. Survivors also include ; brothers, Dick (Yoshiko) Steines, Columbus, Georgia, Tom (Marla) Steines, Mosinee, Dennis (Mary Lou) Steines, Prairie du Chein, sisters, Susan (Arnold) Miller, Mosinee, Marilyn (Peter) Burek, Wausau and Rae Ann (Mark) Grubofski, Camp Douglas, extended family members and close friends. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Robert. Bill proudly served 30 years with the Wausau Fire Department. He retired as an Assistant Chief and received the honor of Kiwanis Outstanding Senior Firefighter of 1999. Bill was instrumental in promoting advanced training policies and emphasized firefighter professionalism within the department and the community. Bill had a great love for his family, wanting to teach his boys and granddaughters about the outdoors, the importance of faith and so much more. He was always ready to aid a family member in need, friend or stranger in any way he could. Woodworking, fishing and hunting were just some of his passions. Black bears in Canada to wild hogs in Texas, if it involved the outdoors he wanted to be a part of it. He was also an active volunteer in the soup kitchen at the Church of the Resurrection and archery enthusiast with the Rib Mountain Bowmen. He may be gone from this Earth with God but his courage, honor and loving ways will not be forgotten. The family would like to give a heartfelt 'thank you' to the doctors and staff at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston TX for their efforts in our fight against cancer, giving Bill several more years of good memories. And to Kay Harmon and the entire team at Aspirus in guiding us unwaveringly through those last precious weeks. The funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Thursday May 1, 2014, at the Church of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Wausau. Rev. James Schaefer and Deacon Peter Burek will preside. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Friends may call on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau and again on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church. There will be a parish rosary service at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Sixth Street funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com