William "Bill" M. Zenner

Our Father, William M. (Bill) Zenner passed away serenely on September 23, 2018 at the age of 98. He was the eldest of three sons born to Lillian and Michael Zenner on October 22, 1919 in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Following in his father's footsteps, Dad served his country in the armed forces. He joined the infantry in 1942 during World War II with the aspiration of becoming a pilot. He served in the United States Army Air Corps with the 2nd Air Transport Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theatre of Operations, where he ferried aircraft and searched for downed planes. As a transport pilot, he flew over the treacherous Himalayas, completing 56 missions over the the "Hump" carrying highly explosive airplane fuel. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal prior to his discharge from the military as a First Lieutenant in September of 1945. Dad married our mother, Grace Mary Wachtl, his sweetheart of three years, on base at Major Field Post Chapel in Greenville, Texas on June 24, 1943. During his military service, they relocated to several US Army Air Corps bases before our mother returned home to Wisconsin to await the arrival of their first child. After his discharge from the military Dad worked in management, farming, and accounting positions in Wisconsin, where he and Mom raised their five children. In 1964, Dad began a new career path with the Linder family businesses in Tulare, California continuing through 1974 where he became the accounting manager for Dr. Lionel Brazil of Western Dairies, Inc. until 1976. His final career move was to be office manager for the Beck family at Sturgeon and Beck, Inc. where he retired and ended his career in 2004 at the age of 85. Dad enjoyed team bowling and at age 70 became interested in western country swing dancing. He and Mom, frequently wearing matching western wear, began dancing several nights each week in dance clubs throughout the Central Valley. Though they were passionate about dance, it was the friendships they built along the way that they most cherished. Many of their dance friends would characterize Dad with the song, "I Just Want to Dance With You," which so beautifully expresses his love for Mom with the words " twirl you all around the floor, cuz that's what they invented dancing for." All loved seeing our parents on the dance floor! One highlight for them was when they traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee and danced on the televised "Club Dance" cable program. Aside from work and play, Dad was deeply committed to his community. Dad was a member of St. Aloysius Church in Tulare and for many years volunteered in various capacities. He was a member of the American Legion of Marathon, Wisconsin, AMVETS Tulare Post 56 and Sons of Italy Enrico Caruso Lodge in Visalia. He was passionate about his faith and family as demonstrated by his volunteerism, joy of family celebrations and ardor for dancing with our Mom, who was the love of his life. He is predeceased by his parents, wife of 75 years Grace, two brothers, Bernie and Ron, sister-in-law, Connie and son-in-law, Roy. Bill will lovingly be remembered by his surviving children: Kathy Kocik of Wausau, Wisconsin, Bill Zenner Jr. (Jackie) of Blaine, Minnesota, Jack Zenner (Laurie) of Fort Collins, Colorado, Barbara Ellenberg (Kenneth) of Dallas, Texas, and Theresa Green (Kevin) of Exeter. In addition, he is survived by ten grandchildren: Michael Kocik, Jeff Kocik, Jon Kocik, Kate Passineau, Kim Smerda, Brad Zenner, Brian Zenner, Ben Zenner, Andrew Zenner, and Clint Ellenberg as well as fourteen great grandchildren: Kristin, Brittany, Ariana, Nikolas, and Olivia Kocik, Lily and Thomas Passineau, Henna Smerda, Brandon, Brooke, Lily and Jasmine Zenner, and Emery and Isla Ellenberg as well as sister-in-law, Shirley Zenner of Athens, Wisconsin. Our family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all of the angels at Quail Park Memory Care Residences and Kaweah Delta Hospice for their love and care. We will be forever grateful! We would like to give special acknowledgement to Lupe Suarez, our dear friend and caregiver and Angela Hinostroza LVN, for their extraordinary attention in caring for our dear Father. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration be given to making a donation in Dad's memory to the St. Aloysius Parish Building Fund or St Aloysius School Memorial Fund (125 East Pleasant Street, Tulare), or AMVETS Department of California (157 South K Street, Tulare.) Recitation of the Rosary and Mass of the Resurrection were held on Friday, September 28 at 10:00 at St. Aloysius Church, 125 East Pleasant, Tulare, California with interment in Halder, Wisconsin at a later date.

Published in Tulare Advance-Register & Visalia Times-Delta on Sept. 26, 2018