William A. Lahaie I

William A. Lahaie I, age 80 of Oshkosh, passed away peacefully surrounded by his daughters and granddaughter at Azura Memory Care from a battle with dementia on Sunday, September 20, 2020. He was born on March 6, 1940 to the late John and Marion (Carlander) Lahaie in Menominee, Michigan.
Bill served in the United States Army, and retired as a machinist from Rockwell International. He was strong willed, determined, active, and passionate. He would strike up conversations with just about anyone that would listen. His middle daughter, Kathy, (aka Smokey the Bear) got her spunk, tenacity, and gift of gab from her Dad.
Bill, also known as “Pepsi Bill”, was an avid Pepsi collector and enthusiast. His house was overflowing with Pepsi collectibles, and so was his car! Other than a Pepsi jacket, he never wore or used the Pepsi items. He just liked to collect and look at them. Bill loved to sing, hum, and harmonize to any song… his favorite being church songs. He was a member of various Oshkosh singing groups including the Oshkosh Choraliers and enjoyed anything music related.
From a very young age, Bill was a water bug. He loved to scuba dive, snorkel, do handstand dives, play water games such as “how many laps one could do while holding their breath underwater”…he would win every time, and “create whirlpools” all while having fun in the solar heated family swimming pool on N. Eagle St. He took pride in making sure the pool was clean, warm, and pristine. He loved hosting pool parties for his kids and their friends, all of whom he gave nicknames. In wintertime, he would pile the snow against the pool liner to create an ice rink where the kids would practice ice skating. He also kept daily journals about specific pool details including water temp, air temp, water clarity, and who swam in the pool. This is where Anne (daughter) and Shannon (granddaughter) got their journaling trait from.
In his younger years, Bill worked at the local bowling alley setting up ‘pins’. In his late teens, “Lumpy”, as he was known by some, was a member of the Oshkosh Y men’s gymnastics team. Throughout his life, you would see him walking on his hands, doing flip-flops on the trampoline, doing cartwheels, and handsprings. His balance and strength were incredible, even into his elder years. Later in life, he became a member of the American Kite Society because of his joy in flying kites. He owned hundreds of different styles, sizes, and colors of kites. He strongly encouraged and taught others to fly kites, especially children.
You would commonly see “Pepsi Bill” doing one of the following: playing Frisbee, driving around town in the Lahaie mobile, sweeping the driveway, saluting everyone, playing with the grandkids/grand-dogs, and always doing something outside while whistling. He was also known as the “Candy Man” when his kids were younger because he always had candy to share.
Bill had many struggles in life beginning with a difficult childhood which was his driving force to make a good life for his family. He would plan family camping trips all around the US to see how many states he could travel through in the wood paneled Chevy station wagon. Armed with a Polaroid camera and a professional camera, he would be seen taking photos/slides of the family trips. This is where Susan (daughter) got her love of photography. He fiercely battled OCD throughout most of his adult life which consumed his every thought and every move, but was able to function non-traditionally.
He had a special bond with his only son, Billy. You would often see them together at soccer games, flying kites, riding bikes, and driving around just so he and Billy could be doing something together. Bill was devastated with the passing of his son at the tender age of 16 in 1997. At that time, he moved in with Nancy and David Ellefson who helped him get back on his feet and thrive. He spent almost 30 years living with and helping the Ellefson’s until it was necessary for him to have specialized care due to dementia.
Bill is survived by his daughters, Anne (Greg) Grahl, Kathy (Matt) Jaeger, and Susan (Brian) Lamers; grandchildren: Meg and Mason Grahl, Shannon (fiancé Michael Lee), Benjamin and Reggie Jaeger, Nolan and Nate Lamers; survived by the mother of his children, Nancy Muraski; sister: Terry (Keith) Albrecht; sister-in-law: Leah (Gary) La Fleur. He is further survived by his special lifelong friend, Nancy (David) Ellefson. His 4-legged grand-dogs, Tucker & Max Jaeger, will greatly miss snuggling with him.
He was preceded in death by his son, William A. Lahaie II (Billy); and siblings, Ronald Lahaie and Margaret (Peggy) Zolkowski.
A Catholic Mass to celebrate his life will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish- St. Peter’s site, 435 High Ave. in Oshkosh with Fr. Jerry Pastors officiating. Due to COVID restrictions, there will be limited capacity and masks must be worn during the Mass. This service will also be live streamed and recorded. A visitation will take place from 9:00 AM until the time of the Mass. A private interment will take place at Lake View Memorial Park with Military Honors following the Mass.
Bill’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Azura Memory Care of Oshkosh. Their compassion to provide quality care over the last 20 months was a heartwarming blessing. They cannot thank the Azura staff enough for not only being caregivers to Bill but also providing the extra love and support that the family was unable to provide during COVID restrictions. They would also like to thank Generations Hospice for their outstanding support during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.
“Better days are coming”