William M. Downs Jr

Longtime business and community leader William M. Downs Jr, 76, died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of Superior, he was a third generation owner and operator of the Downs-LeSage and Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral homes and was a licensed funeral director in the State of Wisconsin for more than 50 years. He was born Aug. 9, 1932 in Superior and was a proud alumni of Superior Central High School and the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

Active in over 30 community and civic organizations, many of which he helped form and several of which he held the top executive position including as past president of the UWS Alumni Association, Superior Jaycees, Optimists, Superior Shrine Club, Touchdown Club and United Way chairman. He was also a member of the area Boy Scouts Council, KBJR and Superior Library boards, the Humane Society of Douglas County, Animal Rescue Federation, Elks, Moose, United Commercial Travelers, VFW, American Legion, Superior Bowling Association, Superior Shrine Pipe Band, Sons of Norway, UWS Center Court Club, Bond Lake Property Association and Concordia Lutheran Church to name just a few. He helped establish the Par 3 course at Nemadji Golf Course and spearheaded several youth scholarship programs in art and education. Organizations recognized his leadership and contributions by naming him their outstanding member some 20 times over the years - including one of his biggest "personal" honors which was being nominated by his own employees and selected Jaycee Boss of the Year. His professional colleagues lauded him on the national and state levels where he served as an officer, a keynote speaker and workshop leader for The Northern District Funeral Directors Association, National Selected Morticians, National Funeral Directors Association and celebrated a half a century as a licensed funeral director in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Funeral Directors Association singled him out as their second youngest President in 1970. He followed a career path set by his grandfather Z.A. Downs and father William Downs Sr and one that he in turn, would hand down to a fourth generation and his son, William Downs III. Woodworking and lamination were Bill's passions and he donated crosses and baptismal chests to local churches, designed the mini-award paddles for the City of Superior Dragonboat races and created the rest benches along Nemadji's links. He will always be remembered for the little extras that he did in life, from the laminating of thousands of articles and stories about everyday milestones that people in the community had achieved and of which he recognized with personalized correspondence. Bill enjoyed family and friends, poetry, the outdoors and being at his cabin on Bond Lake where he spent most of his time at his workshop. He served in the United States Army in Okinawa during the Korean War as a supply sergeant and was also in the National Guard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Sr and Martha (Hollis) Downs; a grandson, Billy Downs IV; a brother, Jack Downs; father-in-law, and mother-in-law, Edwin and Delia Johnson; and brother-in-law, Donald Senn. Survivors include his high school sweetheart and wife of 55 years whom he married on Sept. 26, 1953, Jeanne Johnson and their children, all of whom reside in Superior; daughter, Lorinda (Tom) Ledin; sons William (Diane) Downs III and David Downs; grandchildren Chelsey and Tyler Ledin, Donny, Sara, Nikki, Cody and Abby Downs; brothers, Robert Downs, Superior, Thomas (Joanne) Downs, Wascott, Ronald Downs, Superior; and sister-in-law, Arlene Senn of Superior; and nieces and nephews, cousins, relatives and friends and pet kitties, Misty and Sassy.

VISITATION: 3 to 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, in the Downs LeSage Funeral Home and will continue at 9:30 a.m. Saturday in Concordia Lutheran Church until the 11 a.m. funeral service. Pastor Charles Plaster will officiate, with Eulogy by longtime friend and Lay Pastor Gary Banker. Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by Thomas F. Stein VFW Post 1091 & Major Bong American Legion Post 435 Combined Color Guard, Wisconsin Army National Guard, State Military Funeral Honors Program and Northern Wisconsin Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Rick "Ike" Eisenmann, Jerry Schnell, Mark Carlson, Bob Sellers, Don Larson, Chuck Haslerud, Toby Marcovich, Dick Welch and John Keller. Honorary pallbearers will be his valued employees and staff of Downs LeSage and Lenroot Maetzold Funeral Homes and members of the Superior Shrine and Optimist clubs. Memorials would be appreciated to Concordia Lutheran Church, ARF, or the Humane Society of Douglas County. A full page Tribute along with colored photographs were featured in his hometown newspaper, the Superior Telegram, on Wednesday.