WILLIAM JOHN WARTMANN William John Wartmann of Edgerton, Wisconsin died Sunday morning at 10:56 A.M. June 17, 2018 at the Agrace hospice center in Janesville, Wisconsin. Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 8, 1936, the son of Wanda Klenovic Wartmann and William T. Wartmann. Bill was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, and his mother and father.
Bill and Joyce were married on June 2, 1973 at the First Unitarian Society of Madison, the Rev. Max Gaebler presiding. Long before,… Read More » Joyce and her daughter Mimi began weekend outings to visit Bill at the house he was restoring near Edgerton.
Together with Michael Saternus, Bill’s first partner, Joyce would pitch in toward renovating the house built in 1852 by a settler from Maine. Bill would continue the renovation of the house and grounds over 40 years. Bill and Joyce first met while Bill was in graduate school at the UW in Madison.
Bill and Joyce would go on to support many local efforts including music and the arts, Gifts for Kids, various humane societies including Friends of Noah, historical society ventures, plus many annual scholarships to Edgerton High School graduates from their endowments. Major endowments have been established by Bill and Joyce at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music and Fine Arts programs, including the Madison Early Music Festival. The Wartmann Endowment for the Performing Arts in Edgerton has become widely known for drawing renown performers and productions.
Bill’s love of the arts began when he was a child trying to navigate through the stresses and disappointments of a rough Chicago neighborhood, but eventually his parents moved further west so that Bill could attend Oak Park High School. He received full scholarships to attend Illinois Wesleyan University where he received a degree as an art major with a minor in education. He then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he earned an M.F.A. in metal sculpture and an M.S. in Art Education.
Bill’s big-hearted nature led to many deep and lasting friendships and working relationships. His professional career culminated with service as president of the American Society of Appraisers- Wisconsin Chapter. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 22, 2018 at the Edgerton Performing Arts Building at the Edgerton High School 200 Elm Drive, Edgerton.
A Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Edgerton Performing Arts Building. Burial will be in the Fulton Cemetery 6725 W. Caledonia Rd, Edgerton. A fellowship lunch will be held after the burial at the Fulton Church 9209 N. Fulton St, Edgerton.
Albrecht Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Edgerton 1004 S. Main St. 608-884-6010 www.
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