William E. “Bill” Galbraith, age 86, died on Sunday evening April 7, 2019, at U.W. Hospital in Madison, surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on November 20, 1932, in Ellenboro, WI, the son of Wilfred and Edna (Tucker) Galbraith. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Marolyn Monroe on Jan. 22, 1952, at the Mount Hope United Methodist Church.
Bill graduated from Mt. Hope High School in 1951. After working several jobs throughout the area, Bill and Marilyn moved to Waukesha County. He then worked for Turner Sand and Gravel in Sussex as a heavy equipment operator. While still working at Turner’s, Bill was pursued by the Village of Lannon to become a part time police officer. He excelled at police work achieving the position of Chief until retiring after 25years of service. Bill’s work did not end there, he worked for the Waukesha County Park System until his final retirement in 1996. At that time he and Marolyn moved back to this area building a home in Mt Ida township. Bill was a humble man, an accomplished athlete, and avid sports follower. He loved the outdoors, hunting, cutting wood and trapshooting. He was especially proud of his family and cherished all their accomplishments. He enjoyed watching and supporting his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in their various sporting events. Bill will most be remembered for his great sense of humor, being a jokester and making people laugh. He loved to tease and was never afraid to have a great time and always with good fun.
Bill is survived by his four children; Mary Lynne (Frank) Drahos, Bill (Kari) Galbraith, Norine (Rick) Hanke, and Rod (Sue) Galbraith, daughter-in-law Vickie Galbraith, 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, two sisters; JoAnn (Laudell) Culver and Lola (Bruce) Gard.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife Marolyn, son John Galbraith, and two sisters; Ivanelle Whitt and Joyce Plewke.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday April 20, 2019 at the Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore with burial of cremated remains in the Hermitage Cemetery in Mt. Hope, WI. Following the committal service, a luncheon will follow at the Fennimore United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until time of service at the funeral home on Saturday morning. In lieu of plants and flowers, a memorial fund will be established to give “Random Acts of Kindness” for area children, which will be managed by the Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, in loving memory of William Galbraith.