William W. "Bill" Smeilis

Willis “Bill” W. Smeilis, 77, of Fond du Lac, died Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at St. Agnes Hospital. He was born February 6, 1938 in Latvia, the son of Anton and Barbara Lolans Smeilis. Bill celebrated 49 years of marriage with his wife, Kathleen H. Sonnenberg. Bill served the US Army from 1958 – 1960. He worked as a conductor with Chicago Northwestern and retired from Union Pacific in 2001. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, reading and playing poker. Bill was a loving husband, father and brother.



He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; three sons, Patrick Smeilis, Christopher (fiancée, Tiffany Braatz) Smeilis, and Peter Smeilis, all of Fond du Lac; one sister, Mary (Matt) Ming of Chicago; one sister-in-law, Joan Sonnenberg of Fond du Lac; two brothers-in-law, Gerry Scharf and Ken Sonnenberg both of Fond du Lac; one niece, Sarah Scharf of Milwaukee; two nephews, John Scharf of West Bend and David Ming of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his parents; his in laws, Earl and Elsie Sonnenberg; two sisters-in-law, Jean Sonnenberg and Nancy Scharf; brother-in-law, Donald Sonnenberg.



The visitation will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Friday, November 27, 2015 at Holy Family Church, 271 4th Street Way, Fond du Lac. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday, November 27, 2015 at Holy Family Church. Cremation will follow the traditional services.



The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at St. Agnes Hospital for their care and compassion.



Additional information and guest book may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com.