William "Bill" Oscar Reineke

William “Bill” Oscar Reineke, age 92, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 16, 2025, at Dove West, Eau Claire, WI.

He was born on February 2, 1933, at home in Clark County, Town of Butler, to Arthur and LaVerne Reineke. Raised on the farm, the oldest of five children, he learned at an early age the value of hard work as he shouldered a greater and greater share of the responsibility of farm work. This experience convinced him that he didn’t want to be a farmer. Bill attended the one-room school in Town of Butler and had detailed stories about those early days. He graduated from Greenwood High School, attended UW-Stevens Point, enlisted in the Army to access the benefits of the GI Bill, and completed his Bachelor’s of Science degree at UW-Eau Claire. He later earned his Master’s degree in Physics. Bill’s first teaching job was in Barron, WI, the next was in Racine, WI, and his final position was at Eau Claire Memorial HS. After retirement, he worked at Commercial Testing Lab in Colfax, WI, as their lab chemist.

In the spring of 1964 he met Sharon Filipa, a new and incoming teacher at Barron High School, in the teachers’ lounge. After a few dates at “The Corners,” he was hooked. They married in 1965 and would have soon celebrated their 60th anniversary.

Moving to Racine, WI, was a new adventure, plus welcoming their daughter, Lisa. But alas, the north called to him for hunting and fishing, and in 1967, he was hired via phone at Memorial High school in Eau Claire. He then spent 21 years teaching mainly chemistry and physics, until he retired in 1988 and began “practicing what he preached” at the Colfax Lab. By 2000, both he and Sharon had retired and started traveling further afield than the contiguous US (Europe, Australia, Central and South America, and Alaska).

Bill was an intelligent, serious, dedicated man and educator who touched many students’ lives. His honesty, integrity, and strong work ethic was demonstrated to his children and grandchildren. In 1969 Bill did most of the work building their house with family and friends; his son, Jeff was also born that summer. He did repairs on said house, kept his lawn pristine, repaired their vehicles, and passed on advice to his children and grandchildren about those types of projects. He served God faithfully and served others at church. He was active in his church, holding many positions and headed one of the building projects. He also was the Lutheran Church Extension Fund area rep and a board member of Lutheran Children’s Friend Society.

Time spent with his family was very important to Bill. We camped together at national, state and county parks, fished together in Chetek, and hunted together in northern and central Wisconsin and Canada.

He is survived by wife, Sharon, children, Lisa and Jeff (Theresa), grandchildren Sean Hardiman, Jacob and Andy Reineke, sister Barb Altmann, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Alan and Nancy Filipa, sister-in-law Donna Reineke, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and LaVerne Reineke, sister Bev, brothers Jim and Ron, brothers-in-law Ron Altmann and Joe Enockson, sister-in-law Barb Reineke.

A visitation will be held from 10-12 noon at Peace Lutheran Church on November 24, 2025, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 12:00 noon. Lunch will follow. The service will also be Live streamed [Click Here]. Private committal service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Feed My People - Eau Claire or to the donor’s choice.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the dedicated medical teams at Chippewa Valley VA clinic, Marshfield Medical Center, Dove Healthcare West, and St Croix Hospice for their care and compassion.

Bill’s family is thankful to his extended family, church family, neighbors and work colleagues for their love and prayers. All of you added so many enjoyable moments to the map of his life.

Hulke Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services is serving the family. Please share memories and condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

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