Willis A. Liepert

Willis Arthur Liepert, age 94, of Pine Haven Community, Sheboygan Falls (formerly of Random Lake) passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022. He was born December 5, 1927, the 6th of 8 children to Walter and Martha (nee Quaas) in the town of Farmington, Washington County. He was baptized May 6^th, 1928 at the United Methodist Church, West Bend. He graduated from Washington County Grade School in 1941. He was confirmed at the United Methodist Church, West Bend, in May of 1942.

Willis worked on the family farm until 1945 when he enlisted in the US Navy. After Great Lakes Basic training, he was stationed in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands and Japan in 1946, serving aboard aircraft carrier USS Antietam CV36 in 1947 where he was an aviation machinist seaman first class, and beached and launched seaplanes. He was part of the Combat Air Service Unit F48 and Fleet Air Service Squadron 14. He then served on the USS Missouri, and volunteered for US Naval Reserve for 12 years. He received 3 honorable discharges.

In October 2014 Willis visited Washington DC on the "Stars and Stripes Honor Flight", accompanied by son-in-law James Goetsch as guardian. He is a registered honoree on WWIIMemorial.com .

On Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1950 he married Janis Stolper at St. John Lutheran Church, Random Lake, where he served as a trustee for twelve years. They resided in Random Lake until they moved to Senior Living, Sheboygan Falls in 2016.

Willis was employed by Nash Motors / American Motors in Milwaukee, retiring after 30 years in 1979. Then he worked part time at the Random Lake Co-op and Krier Preserving Company. He had many side jobs including whitewashing barns, spraying orchards, bartending, delivering apples, and worked at several orchards. He served on the Random Lake Village Board for 16 years; he was president of the Rod & Gun Club for 12 years, and a member there for 60 years. Willis, along with Janis, worked at and then managed, Cherry Hill Apple Orchard in Batavia from 1970 to 1986.

Hobbies included hunting, fishing, bowling, golfing, baseball, playing sheephead, making maple syrup, water cress hunting, and many hours spent cracking nuts and listening to polka music!

Willis is survived by 2 daughters: Lynette Liepert (Terry Sterr) of Fond du Lac and LuAnn (James) Goetsch of Sheboygan Falls; one granddaughter Kara (Bryon) Ehlert of Oshkosh;

2 great-grandchildren Riley and Julia Pearson; step grandchild James E Goetsch; step great-grandchild Madelyn Ehlert; one sister Janice (Allan) Kempf of Plymouth; brother-in-law Walter (Ruth) Friedemann; sister-in-laws Jean Partezana of Ohio, Marilyn Liepert of West Bend, Gloria Liepert of Kewaskum; nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Janis; grandson Dion Mueller in 2008;

3 brothers – Lloyd (Myrtle), Ralph, Elton (Lue); 3 sisters - Lois (Wally Junge), Verna (Glenn Grasse), Lyla (Bob Boerger); sister-in-laws Marlene Friedemann, Laverne Myers; brother-in-laws Willis Stolper, Warren Stolper, George Partezana.

Funeral Services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church, W5406 Cty Road SS, Random Lake.

Pastor Christopher Gillespie will officiate. The family will receive visitors at the church on Wednesday, Nov 30^th beginning at 12:30. Service will be at 1:30. All are welcome to view a livestream of the service below.

Please join us following the service when Willis will be laid to rest in the church cemetery with military honors.

Memorials to the church are appreciated. The family would like to thank the Pine Haven Community where Willis resided more than six yrs and Janis for 5 yrs. Also thank you to Dr. Brian DeMaster for his professional and personal attention and care. Wenig Funeral Home, Sheboygan Falls is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave online condolences, please visit www.wenigfh.com .