William E. “Bill” Leahy, age 88 of Shullsburg, passed away Friday, May 19, 2017 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison. He was born July 4, 1928 in Darlington, the son of William and Anna (Swift) Leahy. Bill graduated from Shullsburg High School in 1946. He was united in marriage to Lois M. Tyson on Nov. 28, 1953 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Shullsburg. Bill grew up in various areas of Lafayette County, Wisconsin until after high school when he settled in Dunbarton/Shullsburg area where he spent the rest of his life.
Bill is survived by his wife Lois at home; his six children: Theresa (Kevin) Watts of Delevan, Stephan (Cathy) Leahy of Bagley, David (Roxanne) Leahy of Shullsburg, Jeffery (Beverly) Leahy of rural Shullsburg, Luann (Michael) Zimmerman of Verona, and Kathleen (Thomas) Hughes of Stillman Valley, Ill.; 17 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; one sister: Isabelle Doyle of Shullsburg; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: Robert, Arthur, Patrick, Michael and James Leahy; and three sisters: Kathryn Rielly, Lucille Darrah, and Helene Louis.
Bill was a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Shullsburg and was active in the Knights of Columbus. He was a proud member of the Shullsburg Lions Club where he held every office and was selected Grand Marshall of the 2016 Fourth of July Parade in Shullsburg. Bill partook in various agriculture clubs, was Dunbarton’s 4-H Leader for many years, and gave countless hours to many other organizations within the community. To his family and friends Bill was known as the “original picker” at local auctions where he spent just as much time camping and chatting with his friends as he did bidding on items. He cherished the time he spent with his family, especially his grandchildren, always enjoying and cheering them on at their sporting events and other school activities. Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and his family will cherish the memories they created together forever.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church (344 N. Judgement St., Shullsburg) where Rev. Sudhakar Devarapu officiated. Burial was in St. Matthew’s Cemetery. A visitation was held Monday, May 22, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Erickson Funeral Home (235 N. Judgement St, Shullsburg) where a rosary was prayed at 4:00 p.m. and again on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at the church. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.ericksonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or online at www.stjude.org in Bill’s name.