William A. Heath

COLUMBUS/PORTAGE – William A. Heath, age 86, a longtime resident of Lewiston Township, died on Wednesday, November 23, 2011, at Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus.

Bill was born on June 2, 1925, in Richland Center, the son of Ancil J. and Marie (Parfrey) Heath.  He was married to Shirley Goth on June 18, 1949, at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. Shirley preceded him in death on April 20, 2011.  Bill served his country in the United States Navy serving aboard the USS Patapsco during WWII. He was a cabinet maker early in his career.  Bill then attended MATC for one year, and taught there for one year.  For many years he was an auto body man.  Bill retired from American Family Insurance.  He was a member of the Portage Cleary-Krech VFW Post No. 1707.  Bill bowled for many years, enjoyed woodworking and camping, and was an avid bird watcher.   

Bill is survived by five children, Cathy Voges, Pardeeville; Bill (Deb) Heath, Town of Otsego; Jim (Michelle) Heath, Waunakee; Roseann Hayes, Columbia, MO; and Jenifer (John) Schweger, Montello;  twelve grandchildren;  fourteen great-grandchildren, a special cousin, Gordon Gray, Mazomanie, other cousins, relatives and many friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley, and his brothers-in-law, Paul Damson and Mike Carpenter.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, with the Rev. William Grimm officiating.  Inurnment will be held in Oak Grove Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home in Portage.