WILLIAM WANAMAKER

Dr. William Wanamaker age 77 of Neenah, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. He was born September 30th, 1938, in Seattle, Washington to Clarence Ira and Grace Wanamaker. The family lived in Oak Harbor, Washington, and William attended high school at Seattle Prep for three years before graduating from Oak Harbor High School.

William attended the University of Washington and was a member of the Husky rowing team. He went on to Creighton Medical School in Omaha, graduating in 1964. It was at Creighton where William met his future bride, Sonja Jane Recker. They were married in 1962. William completed his residency at University Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. He was commissioned into the Air Force in 1968 and served as a Medical Officer until 1970.

After his service, William taught at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. In 1976, William and his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked at area hospitals. The Wanamakers moved to De Pere, Wisconsin in 1979, where he joined a local practice, Neurology Associates. He practiced neurology in Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan until retiring in 1998.  He continued to volunteer as a physician at the Green Bay Free Clinic.

William enjoyed sailing, hunting and fishing, woodworking, making boats, and spending time with his family. Gardening was a passion, and William helped found the Green Bay Botanical Garden and served on its board for several years. 

He is survived by his wife, Sonja Jane; his son Tom (Janet) of Neenah; daughter Anne Yazek (John) of Fitchburgh, WI; son John (Lisa Erb) of Minneapolis, MN; and grandchildren: Daniel, Maddie, and Alina.  He is preceded in death by his sisters: Barbara (Tom) King, and Polly (Ira) French. 

A memorial service will be held at the Green Bay Botanical Garden at 11:00 a.m. on July 31.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Green Bay Botanical Garden.