William G. Walpole, age 74, a resident of Grantsburg passed away on Thursday, January 6, 2022.

William was born on November 17, 1947 in Oklahoma to Lawrence and Anne Walpole.

In 1980 Bill moved to Grantsburg with his family. He can be remembered by local farmers for delivering feed in his Doboy truck in the earlier years. He later worked as a machinist for a number of years at McNally’s and later at Parker Hannifin before retiring.

Bill was enlisted in the US Navy from 1965-1968. He served 4 tours of duty in Vietnam while aboard the USS Kearsarge CVS-33. His martial arts legacy began when he was ported in Japan.

Bill held a black belt in both Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. He used his black belt to share his passion for the martial arts by becoming an instructor and mentor. Bill became lifelong friends to many students that he was so proud of.

After retiring, Bill kept the wheels on his Harley moving by trading the cold Wisconsin winter for sunny Arizona and Mexico. Grandpa Bill returned to Wisconsin each year before the grandkid’s birthdays. He enjoyed fishing and getting out on his boat, martial arts movies, his dog RG, spending time with his family and taking his Harley out after the first good rain.

Bill was devoted to his daughters and grandkids. He was called Dad by all his bonus kids that he took under his wing. Bill was a selfless man with a rugged exterior that held a soft, tender and loving heart. He would do anything he could for his girls, grandkids, bonus kids, family and friends. His eight grandkids could count on him to help with whatever they needed and to see him in the audience or bleachers at anything they were a part of and participated in.

William was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Valerie and Vanessa; nephew, Paul; and niece, Jackie.

Bill will be sadly missed by his children, Angie (Hoss) Covey; Carina (Chuck) Hafner, and Kelly (Chad) Andersen; his grandchildren, Chase, Grace, Jordan, Avery (Katie), Charlie, Kyla, Victoria, Josiah, and Veyah; sisters, Jacquie Polyak and Karen Mitchell; brother, Vance Polyak; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 2:00 PM (visitation 1-2 PM) at Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg.

Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Grantsburg.

Last Update: Jan 10, 2022 6:21 pm CST