William J. Bollom

William J. Bollom, age 88, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin died November 6, 2026, at Evergreen Manor. He was born in Oshkosh on August 9, 1938, the son of Ralph and Grace (Tennessen) Bollom. Bill married Kathleen O'Hern on December 29, 1962, in Waupun, Wisconsin at the Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. Bill graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1956 and earned his bachelors, master's, and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. He retired from UW Oshkosh in 1999 as professor of Accounting. Bill taught a total of 38 years. Domestically he taught at St. Cloud State University, The University of Wisconsin Madison, and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. His teaching assignments in South Africa, Hungary and Iceland were through the prestigious Fulbright Scholar Program. And in Germany, Italy, Belgium, Holland, and Singapore he taught for local universities and military bases. Additionally, Bill published multiple papers in professional publications as well as his memoirs and his recipe book.

As a UW-grad he was a lifelong Badger and enjoyed many sports like fishing, hunting, golfing, bowling, baseball, and basketball. Bill adored his wife Kathy (he thought she was the prettiest thing alive) and enjoyed traveling the world with his family (and to see his family). He relished walking Miller's Bay with his wife and sipping a dry gin martini at the day's end. In his free time, he played his concertina and wrote for the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. He was often spotted driving his prized MG convertible to the golf course for a round, which was always followed by a spirited game of cribbage. Bill lost his sight five years ago, which made his final years difficult.

Bill is survived by his wife Kathy, one daughter Jill (Phil) Shull of Virginia, his two sons Mike (Susan Renaud) of Kuala Lumpur, Pat (Colleen Hartmon) Bollom of Saint Paul, MN, and seven grandchildren, Katie, Kristen, Erin, Ayla, William, Abhi, and Yashoda. His sister Lola Schroeder is in Fremont, WI. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Dan and Ralph.

Bill has chosen to be cremated. There will be no religious service. Bill's last words written by himself will be read next summer during his celebration of life, the date of which has yet to be decided.