Sept. 17, 1939 – Aug. 13, 2024
William John Coldren, 84, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, at his home in Pinellas Park, Fla. He was born Sept. 17, 1939, in Sparta, Wis., to Ashley and Julia (Berendes) Coldren.
On Aug. 21, 1965, Bill married Judy Treptow. They had three children: Ashley (Michele) Coldren, Andy (Karen) Coldren and Amy (Jeff Mitchell), and five grandchildren, Carly Coldren, Calvin Coldren, Clayton Coldren, Austin Coldren, and Ava Coldren.
Bill is survived by his wife, Judy Coldren, and three sisters, Eva (Larry) McCracken, Joyce (Elmer) Tessmer, and Alice (Jim) Model.
He was predeceased by his parents, Julia and Ashley Coldren; his brothers, Fred Coldren and Butch Coldren; and his sisters, Mary Jane Clark, Kate Finucan, Bette Coldren, Emmy Kennedy, and Sally Haffner.
Bill was a Mason and a Shriner and belonged to the Zor Camel Patrol in Madison, Wis., for 12 years. He enjoyed traveling and giving camel rides, especially to family and friends. He loved those “crazy” camels, identifying each camel with their name and personality traits.
He was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, and UW Badger football and wrestling teams. Bill enjoyed watching his kids, grandkids, nephews, nieces, and local teams compete in sports. Bill was one of Turner High’s biggest supporters, both on the sidelines and in the stands. Everyone knew when Bill was there cheering them on, “Go defense!”
Bill loved to play games with family and friends. He was the Coldren Fantasy Football Champ and loved playing cards and dominos. Bill was one of the best euchre players to beat, and he loved to celebrate his victories with a cold Old Milwaukee or PBR beer.
“Wild” Bill’s stories were legendary. It was impossible not to laugh till you cry when Bill got rolling. Many would often ask him to retell a story if they hadn’t heard it in a while. Bill’s stories were so vivid and funny – from his tales of riding a Harley with a “suicide shift” to growing the BIG beard for the Kendall 150th to having Judy dye his beard red for deer hunting season, and of course all his adventures with “Nim” at the campgrounds.
Stories from his family and friends of “Wild Bill,” “Josh,” “Uncle Bill,” and “Frick and Frack” would also have you cracking up until you cry. Sometimes, he would get bashful when others would tell the stories only to admit, “yeah, yeah; that is true.” Then he’d laugh right along with the rest, and if he was embarrassed, he’d say, “I don’t remember that.”
Bill loved to serve others, especially his family, good friends, and neighbors. He loved to mow the lawn, sharpen the mower blades, build a deck, do electrical wiring, and help with plumbing and flooring. He was a natural handy man, mechanic, and electrician. Bill liked to refurbish trunks with Judy and build games, birdhouses, and just anything else needed.
He worked at the Belvidere Chrysler Assembly Plant for 30 years, retiring in 1997. Bill and Judy moved to Pinellas Park, Fla., where they have enjoyed 27 years of retirement.
Bill served in the Air Force and was a proud veteran. There will be a military service in Florida on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 10 a.m. at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, FL 33708.
A visitation and funeral service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 749 Bluff St., Beloit, Wis., on Saturday, Sept. 7, with the visitation starting at 10 a.m. and funeral service at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow, and a burial will be at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of William be made to Empath Health Suncoast Hospice’s Circle of Caring.
