Willy Robert Blecher, 74, of Mission, Texas, formerly of West Bend, died on Sunday, October 18, 2009, at The Comfort House in McAllen , TX after a long, courageous battle against cancer.

He was born on September 3, 1935, in Milwaukee, son of the late Willy and Alwine (Ochsenfeld) Blecher. On December 8, 1956, he married Carol M.Reese. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in McAllen, TX. Willy grew up in West Allis and graduated from Lutheran High School in 1954. He joined the Air Force Reserve in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1961 as an Airman-2nd Class. He worked for Curtis Development for 14 years as an electrician and foreman. Later he went to work for Johnson Control, as Facilities Manager of Washington County until he retired in 1994. He lived in West Bend and Boltonville, until he retired to travel full time. Willy loved to trapshoot and hunt, also the Packers. While traveling, he became a ham radio operator and became involved in many charity events and managed an RV park in Texas. He belonged to many organizations including Good Sam, A.R.R.L., R.A.C.E.S. and E.A.R.T.H.

Willy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol; four children, Rosemarie (Larry) Gessner of Beechwood, Joanne (James) Lawrenz of Boltonville, Susan (Paul) Barber of Green Bay, and Robert (Beth) Blecher of Campbellsport; 10 grandchildren: Lisa (Adam) Stoffel, Craig Gessner, Michael (Traci) Lawrenz, Jonathon (Katie Fritz) Lawrenz, Matthew ( Miranda) Lawrenz, Pvt.Joshua Lawrenz, Aimee Lawrenz, Melissa (Theo Terrell) Barber, Jeffrey Barber, Abbie Blecher, 3 step grandchildren: Valerie (Vladimir) Vega, Kyle and Rachel Rieden; 5 great-grandchildren, Mason and Ella Stoffel, Dakota and Nathanial Lawrenz, and Hayden Lawrenz. Also survived by a brother Ronald G. Blecher (Susan) and 4 sister-in-laws.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, a granddaughter, and 4 brothers-in-law.

Out of respect to the family please do not send flowers. If you would like, please send a donation to The Comfort House Services, 617 Dallas Avenue, McAllen, TX 78501.

Visitation will be from 11:00am to 1:00pm and memorial service to follow on Saturday, November 7, at 1:00pm at Cedar Springs Church, 3128 Slinger Road, Slinger, WI 53086.