Dr. William F. Sickels

William Frederick Sickels, age 89, passed away on Sunday, April 12th at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Neenah from complications from a stroke suffered four days earlier. Known for his cheerful and always positive disposition, Bill lived a life of caring for others – for his family, his friends, and his patients.

Bill was born on November 21,1936 to William and Marjorie (Roloff) Sickels in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He grew up and attended school in Chicago, graduating from Loyola Academy, where he excelled as a diver. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University in 1958. While at Northwestern, he met his wife, Rebecca Campbell. Bill and Becky were married on March 21,1959 in Ames, Iowa.

Bill continued his education at Northwestern Medical School in Chicago. After graduating medical school in 1961, Bill completed his internship at Wesley Memorial Hospital in Chicago. From there, he did his residency in internal medicine at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota.

Bill and Becky moved their growing family to Neenah, Wisconsin in September 1965 when Bill was recruited to the Riverside Clinic in Menasha. Just two months later, Bill was drafted into the United States Army and served as a Captain in the Medical Corps in San Pedro, California until July 1968. Following his honorable discharge, Bill and Becky moved back to Neenah where he was one of the founders of Nicolet Clinic, formed after a merger with Riverside Clinic, and was an integral part of further growth as the multi-specialty clinic evolved into LaSalle Clinic, and later, Affinity Medical Group. Over this time, Bill and Becky welcomed five children - Bill, Tim, Anne, David, and Jennifer.

After 35 years, Bill retired from medical practice in 2000. True to his desire to help others, he began volunteering as the Medical Director at the Fox Cities Community Clinic. In 2004, Bill received the Health Care Volunteer Award as part of the annual Celebrating Our Volunteers program, presented by The Post-Crescent and the Community Foundation, for his commitment to improving the health and well-being of others through volunteerism. He also sat on the boards of the American Red Cross and the Fox Cities Community Clinic.

Bill loved living in northeast Wisconsin. He and Becky learned to ski and patiently taught all their children, resulting in many fun family trips to upper Michigan, Colorado, and Utah. He enjoyed going to the Northwoods and Door County in the summer and sailing his boat on Lake Winnebago. He was an avid tennis and paddle ball player. He also enjoyed gardening and was known for his roses which he would generously share with family, friends, and co-workers. But his favorite pastime was walking, especially around Kimberly Point and Riverside Park in Neenah, which he did daily, including the day before his stroke.

Bill and Becky enjoyed music and dancing. They were long-term season ticket holders to the Fox Valley Symphony and members of the Century Dance Club. Bill’s mother taught him how to dance, and he could keep up with the best on the dance floor. They also loved to travel and enjoyed many memorable trips to New York, Chicago, Sanibel Island, and Europe.

Bill’s ultimate calling was to care for others. Exemplified in his choice of profession, it also extended to his family and friends. He loved being a husband, father, uncle, grandfather, and great- grandfather and was always available with a quick note of encouragement, a hug, or piece of advice. He was a loyal friend, staying connected despite long distances and visiting when needed, often with a bouquet of roses or a recommended book.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marjorie; his wife, Rebecca; his daughter, Jennifer; his sister, Mary Hahne; and brothers-in-law Robert Adams, Anibal Alfaro, Bill Hahne and Jim Callahan.

He is survived by his sister, Nancy Callahan, and sisters-in-law, Susan Adams and Prudence Alfaro; sons Bill Sickels, Tim Sickels and David (Ellyn) Sickels; his daughter Anne (Peter) Jones; grandchildren, William (Elizabeth) Sickels, Jenna (Charles Tralmer) Sickels, Emily Sickels, Caroline (Kevin Kuehn) Jones, Natalie and Ethan Jones; Lucas, Reid, Miley and Davis Sickels; and two great-granddaughters, Adelynn and Ayla Tralmer; and many adored nieces and nephews.

A memorial service and celebration of life for Bill will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, April 19th at First Presbyterian Church in Neenah with visitation and light refreshments following in the Fellowship Hall. A private family burial will be on Monday at Oak Hill Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Island Shores, Neenah-Menasha First Responders, and the wonderful nurses, doctors and other staff at ThedaCare Emergency and Neurology Departments.

If you wish to make a donation in Bill’s name, please consider a gift to one of his favorite charities, Doctors Without Borders at https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ or Mercy Ships at https://www.mercyships.org/ or a charity of your choice.