William “Bill” P. Kress
1945-2023
William “Bill” P. Kress, 78, Green Bay resident, died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at a local care facility following lengthy complications from Agent Orange, with his wife Mary Jo at his side. Friends may call at the McCormick Home, 212 Iroquois Ave. on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11 a.m. with Rev. Willy VandeLoo officiating. Burial in St. James Cemetery, White Lake, WI. In lieu of floral expressions a memorial fund has been established in his name. Online condolences may be sent to Bill’s family at www.prokowall.com.
He was born July 12, 1945, in Medford, to the late Aloysius “Al” and Agnes (Egle) Kress. Bill attended Holy Rosary Grade School and graduated from Medford High School in 1963.
Bill was drafted into the US Army on Oct. 21, 1965, to serve during the Vietnam Conflict. He completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. and shipped off to Long Binh Vietnam serving in the 36th Signal Battalion. It is here where he became known as the “Radar O’Reilly” of his battalion. Bill was honorably discharged on Oct. 5, 1967. He truly served and died for the love of his country. Bill was able to enjoy an Honor Flight in 2021 with his fellow veterans.
Following his tour of duty, Bill attended business college in Minneapolis. His expertise in manufacturing consulting brought him many career opportunities throughout the state until he retired as an independent contractor owning his own consulting business since 1999.
Bill made his home at Boulder Lake in Oconto County which is where he met the love of his life, Mary Jo Ulmen. They were married at St. James Catholic Church in White Lake on July 12, 2013. He always said the two best days of his life were when he returned from Vietnam and the day he married Mary Jo.
Bill and Mary Jo enjoyed travelling in Bill’s camper, camping and hiking in many national parks throughout the country. They especially enjoyed their vacation to Maui and Hawaii with a tour to Pearl Harbor. Bill continued to enjoy lake living until his health would not allow any longer.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo; his siblings, Barbara (Roger) Olson, New Brighton, Minn.; Valeria Piburn, Denton, Texas and Leon (Carol) Kress, Stetsonville; his in-laws, Kathryn Ulmen of Green Bay, Julie (Ray) Lindeman of Ledgeview, Susie (Rick) Verheyen, Denmark and Peggy (Mike) Nemetz of Wausaukee; brother-in-law, Dave Lorenzoni of Woodruff; four nephews, Michael, Scott, Kevin and Steven Olson; numerous other nieces and nephews in the Ulmen family and lastly their beloved dog, Bella.
He was preceded in death by brother-in-law, John Piburn; his in-laws, Joseph and Dorothy Ulmen; brother- in-law, Mike Ulmen and sister-in-law, Nancy Lorenzoni.
Mary Jo would like to thank Fr. Willy and Heather H. as well as the staff of the McCormick Home for their compassion and loving care of Bill. Also, the nurses and staff of Unity Hospice and Mary Jo’s sisters, Kak and Julie who have been so supportive and caring throughout Bill’s journey.
Paid Obituary 144715
