William H. Appleyard,

Christopher M.
Loganville, WI     03/04/2013 11:51 AM

Dear Mrs. Appleyard and Family / children ~ I was sad to hear of Bill’s death…he was a special man to me early in my ministry (’81-’83-ish) at Trinity & Grace (RL & Brill). Two things stick out in my memory that I would like to share with you – if I could possibly get away for his visitation or funeral. However, being Lent and the distance and the weather forecast, I regret I can not share this with you in person. The first acknowledgement is professional. I always thought Bill did excellent body prep work and funeral directing. He was very professional and attended to details (not the least of which was RAKING his shag carpet at the funeral home). We also had several difficult funerals together (like Fran Wright’s husband and son, and Richard Stenseth in 1981 and Bob Soldner in ’82, and the Estreen baby in ’83, ETC). He helped me in various ways through those times – and I hope I made his job a little less anxious in those times as well. Secondly, my time / ministry there at the in-town church was rocky (read: tumultuous) and I left under duress…moving to Brill, working at that church AND doing some drywall & mudding work to survive financially. It was also that time when Bill was putting in the swimming pool at the north Main Street house. He ‘hired’ me to do some work on that project. What I remember most and most fondly is = he had a party for all the laborers…prior to having a ‘christening party’ with his “equals” (so to speak). It was a GREAT PARTY, lotsa fun, food & beer with great people AND Bill brought out and played his squeeze-box (accordion). I had no idea he played and he was good. I’ve always wished since I could play it – cuz he made it look so easy and fun… In other words, he was a grand host. Well, those are my “two stories” that still bring a tear to my eyes today…and now Bill has passed. I just want you to know that there are others of us who ALSO appreciated him and have fond memories of him and an empty place in our hearts – now that he has passed. Pr Christopher Miller (Loganville, WI – 30 minutes south of Wisconsin Dells, off I-90/94)

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