William "Bill" Melby

Of Waukesha, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2014, surrounded by his family at the Virginia Health and Rehabilitation Center, at the age of 85 years. Bill was born on December 30, 1928, in Iron Mountain, Michigan, son of Clarence and Marie (nee Maloney) Melby. He graduated from Pewaukee High School in 1949. Following High School, Bill joined the Marine Corp and served during the Korean Conflict, where he froze his hands and feet at the "Chosin Reservoir". He later went on to the Madison Technical College where he met his future bride, Lila Mester, whom he married in October of 1955 in Belmont, WI. Together they moved around the country for a few years before settling in Milwaukee. Bill moved his family out to Waukesha in 1965 and resided here ever since. Bill worked for the VA Hospital for over 30 years as a grounds maintenance and laundry worker until his retirement. He later went on to work for the City of Waukesha for 14 years. Bill was a longtime member of St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Waukesha,where he and Lila served at the "Coffee Hour" for over twenty years. He was also an active member of the Waukesha Elk Lodge #400 and the VFW Soat-Vergenz Post 721. Bill enjoyed Packer and Brewer games, reading, and spending time with his family. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor and being a great friend and father. Bill will be sadly missed by his children, Mark and Cynthia "Cindy", both of Waukesha, his sisters, Helen (Joseph) Adams of Arizona and Pat Kocher of Waukesha. He is further survived by other relatives and many friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Lila, parents, brother, Robert, and nephew, Curt. The visitation for Bill will be held on Friday, September 5, 2014 at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 424 Hyde Park Ave., Waukesha, WI from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Elk's Lodge of Sorrow service at 11:00 a.m., with his funeral service immediately following. The Reverend Andrew Fetters will be officiating. Burial with Military Honors will immediately follow the service at Prairie Home Cemetery, Waukesha. Bill's family would like to send a special thank you to all the staff at the Virginia Health and Rehabilitation Center and at Season's Hospice for their gentle care of Bill during his stay.