William 'Bill' Ernest Kirschner, age 89, passed away at home, surrounded by his family on Thursday, July 2, 2015.He was born in Sauk City on May 29, 1926, the son of the late Ernest and Ida (Zick) Kirschner.
As a young boy growing up in Sauk City, Bill was filled with the joy of youth, along with energy and enthusiasm that would be his constant companions. Bill was the son of Ernie Kirschner, a sausage maker of Austrian descent and owner of Kirschner's Meat Market. The Market was home to the popular Kirschner's Sauk City Bologna, which dates back to the 1860's and Bill's grandfather, Emanuel Kirschner. Downtown Sauk City was young Bill's playground and he could always be found dashing around the bustling stores and busy main street in the late 1920's and early 1930's. Given the heritage of Sauk City and seeing young Bill darting around, it would not have been unusual for shopkeepers of the day to remark, 'there goes that little wienerwurst, again.' Bill indicated his brother, Richard 'Buddy' Kirschner, who sadly drowned in the Wisconsin River as a young boy and who also shared Bill's friendly nature and boundless energy, would sometimes jump onto the running board of a passing car on Water Street, visit with the driver as the vehicle continued on its way, only to jump off the running board further on down the road. Such were the good times in Bill's youth in his beloved Sauk City.

Bill graduated from Sauk City High School in 1943, where he played trumpet in the band, participated in football, baseball and, of course, was a sprinter on the track team. He fondly remembered the heated rivalry with the athletic teams from the then-separate, Prairie du Sac High School.

Bill served his country in the Army during World War II, at both Fort Sheridan and Fort Knox.

Upon returning to Sauk City from his military service, Bill attended and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning Bachelor and Master's degrees.

His good fortune continued, when he met and married Mary Elizabeth(Greenhalgh) Kirschner, on August 9, 1952. Mary, originally from Baraboo, also graduated from UW-Madison, and she went on to teach at the same Sauk City High School Bill had attended in his youth. Mary later became the long time Librarian at the Sauk City Public Library. An expansion to the library was named The Mary E. Kirschner Addition, in honor of her service and commitment to the library. Together, they raised three children, moving from Madison, to Boscobel and finally returning to Sauk City in 1963. Mary was the blessing of his life and the most caring and loving person Bill would ever know.

Bill was an educator, teaching History in the Boscobel, Wisconsin Heights and Sauk-Prairie High School Districts. He also served as the Librarian at the Heights and Sauk Prairie. He valued and continually promoted the great service libraries provide and the important role they play in the community. He also was instrumental in the formation of the South Central Library System, which now serves southern Wisconsin by providing the network that shares resources between the member libraries. Additionally, Bill served on the Sauk City Library Board for nearly forty years, beginning in 1964.

Bill was also a businessman, owning a popular restaurant in Sauk City for several years in the seventies. He built on this expertise by later managing several steak house restaurants in Madison.

He was involved in the Sauk City community as a Village Board member and the Executive Director of the Sauk City Housing Authority.

Bill remained active throughout his life and enjoyed skiing, swimming and was an accomplished tennis player. He traveled widely, enjoyed great friendships, and was proud to call Sauk City his home. He was also a great bridge player, a fan of big band music, Frank Sinatra, the New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers and was a long-time season ticket holder and patron of Wisconsin Badgers football.

We will miss his passion, his laughter and his love.

He is survived by his daughter, Sandra (John) Zemke of Sheboygan, two sons, Robert and Bruce Kirschner, both of Madison, granddaughter, Kathryn Mary Zemke, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Kirschner, on August 2, 2012, an infant daughter, Karen, two brothers, Richard and Philip and a sister, Carol.

A memorial service will be held at HOOVERSON FUNERAL HOME, 251 Water Street, Sauk City, from 10am to noon on Wednesday July 15, 2015. Memorials may be directed to the Sauk City Public Library