William "Bill" Eric Bauernfeind

William “Bill” E. Bauernfeind, 77 formerly of Oshkosh, was called home June 22, 2024. He was born on October 17, 1946 to the late Gilbert and Irene (Hansan) Bauernfeind, the second oldest of seven children.

He attended Lourde’s High School for one year then attended Oshkosh High School until the age of 17 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force serving in the Vietnam War. After the war, Bill worked as an ambulance driver, until he started his career as an over the road trucker. Even after retirement, his love for driving was evident by the frequent road trips across Wisconsin he made.

Bill is survived by his son, Nicholas Grandl; grandchildren, Gabriella and Lily Rose Kurczek; sisters, Paula Autry of Hamilton, Montana, Barbara (Larry) Pittack of Hamilton, Montana, Maggie Beese of Oshkosh, and Betsy (Randal) Kromm of Larson, Wisconsin. He is also survived by multiple nieces and nephews, great-nieces-and-nephews and great- great-nieces-and-nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Waltman Kurczek; sister, Mary Pokrandt; brother, James Bauernfeind; nephew, Jacob Kromm; niece, MaryJo Davis. 

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Fr. Jerome Pastors, will be held at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish-St. Peter’s site, 435 High Ave. Oshkosh, WI 54901 on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. with Military Honors to follow. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Inurnment will take place at Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff and residents of Wisconsin Veterans Home at King for becoming a second family to Bill over the last two years, ThedaCare Hospice team for the compassionate care provided to Bill when it was needed most, and his niece Chi who was his dedicated caretaker for the last two years.