Bill Robl

Bill passed away peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2008 at the age of 67 with his loved ones at his side. Bill was “one” of the oldest living “Down Syndrome” person’s in the world. (Recently it was announced that a man living in Kenosha, age 70, was applying to the Guinness Book of World Records to be the record holder. In December 2007, the oldest recorded man with Down Syndrome died at age 68 in England.) Bill was born August 23, 1941 in Oshkosh, to the late William and Estelle Robl. On September 27, 1952, a group of parents met at the home of his parents, and organized the Winnebago County Association for Retarded Children, a first in Oshkosh. Bill’s father, William, was elected President and his mother, Estelle, was elected Treasurer. Their primary goal was to have a home for retarded children when the parents were no longer living, to learn everything about retardation and to be a contact for as many parents of these special children as possible. Bill joined the first “Special Needs” Boy Scout troop in 1953 and was extremely proud to carry the American Flag in many local parades. He loved to listen to music and he had an enormous record collection which he cherished. He also enjoyed watching TV, his video collection, was an avid Packer fan and enjoyed his bedroom decorated accordingly. He enjoyed attending the UW-O football and basketball games, bowling, fishing, stock car races, horse shows, but especially loved the EAA and never missed the spectacular air shows until his final years when he was incompasated with Alzheimer’s. The Lutheran Home Association honored Bill by using his picture on a massive mailing at Easter of 2007 with a message informing all that God’s son was sacrificed for us, and it is true He gave His life for people with disabilities also. God sees that we all have a disabled soul and are in need of a Savior. In December 1967, an article was in “The Paper” titled, “After 15 Years, Billy Gets His Titan Letter”. At Bill’s home, the University Wisconsin-Oshkosh football team surprised Bill and his family by coming to their home to present Bill with a “UW-O Letter”, a “Certificate”, and a complete UW-O uniform, by the team members which turned out to be one of the biggest thrills of his and his family’s life. For 15 years of his first 26 years, Bill was a regular at Titan football practice sessions. He loved to retrieve footballs, played catch with the players and joked around with them. The players one day instructed Bill to rope off the entrance area to the practice field and NOT to admit anyone to the practice field. Following their orders to the letter, Billy stood guard at the gate and refused admittance to even the Assistant Coach. Finally, the players couldn’t keep a straight face and gave Bill permission to let the coach in. There were a few choice words, some laughs, then Bill bowed to the thunderous applause for doing such a great job and football practice finally began. Bill took great pride in working at Lakeside Packaging Plus for 35 years until his retirement on November 10, 2006. Senator John McCain must have borrowed Bill’s favorite saying, “My Friends” as whenever Bill referred to his special friends and the great staff of LPP, or the group home staff, he would always say, “My Friends”. His survivors include two sisters, Jean (Jim ) Campbell, Oshkosh and Deborah (Gary) Wiltsey, from Racine. Nieces, Cathy (Douglas) Pahlow, Neenah; Michelle (Judd) Brinkman, Appleton; Nickole Wiltsey, Racine; 1 great-nephew, Alex; 2 great-nieces, Lauren & Julia; his only living Aunt and Uncle, Dorothy and “100 year old” Rubert Robl of Green Bay; plus many dear cousins, friends and his Sheldon Group Home staff and roommates, Beth, William and Cathy. Bill was preceded in death by both his loving parents, grand-parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. After Bill’s Mother passed away 12 years ago, he lived with his sister and guardian , Jean & his brother-in-law, Jim, who both treated Bill like a son and did so many things with him for 6 years until his Alzheimer’s became worse. He then lived in an outstanding Group Home, “Our Family Homes” owned by Linda Kaquatosh and managed by Larry Paulson in Oshkosh. We would highly recommend the Sheldon Group Home to anyone looking for a special home for their loved one as Bill got such outstanding medical, fun entertainment and loving care by the “entire caregiver’s staff”! The family extends their most heartfelt Thank You to Linda, who oversaw everything that affected Bill while in her care and to “all his caregivers” but especially to Larry Paulson, Manager, Bill’s neighborhood friend who protected him when they were both small children at play and who God chose to become his “Guardian Angel” in his adult life. Larry,(his wife, Darlene) Linda, Jesse and his sisters never left his side day or night taking care of him in his final days on this earth! We also extend a special thank you to the Affinity Hospice Staff, especially Jen and the RN, Kathy, for all their knowledge, prayers and compassion during this difficult time. All was deeply appreciated! Funeral Services for William (Bill) S. Robl will be held at the new Fiss & Bills Poklasny Funeral Home, 865 S.Westhaven Dr; Friday, December 5, 2008. Visitation will be from 9:30AM to 11:30AM, Friday. Funeral services at 11:30AM with Pastor Paul Lidtke, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, officiating. Private burial for the family will be held in Lake View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, a Memorial has been established in Bill’s memory..On line condolences can be given at fissbillspoklasny.com Once again our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, But God calls us one by one and the chain will link again. Fiss and Bills Poklasny Funeral Home 865 S. Westhaven Dr. 235-1170

Bill Robl

August 23, 1941 - December 1, 2008

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