William John Kalmer
ELM GROVE - Our treasured dad, husband, and friend, William John Kalmer, died on August 22, 2023, surrounded by his beloved family. Bill was 80 years young.
Bill was born in Milwaukee on February 24, 1943 to the late Margaret (nee Buckett) and Phillip Kalmer. He is the brother of Patricia Hilderbrant (Jack). He was raised in Wauwatosa and attended St. Jude Catholic School and Church.
Bill graduated Marquette University High School in 1961 and had stories from those four years that lasted the next sixty. After high school Bill headed to Spring Hill College as the first baseman for the baseball team. He later transferred to and graduated from Marquette University. His Jesuit education was both a source of pride and a foundation for how he lived his life as a man for others. Bill worked to put himself through school as an ironworker and bartender. He worked on crews that built many of the high-rise buildings on Milwaukee’s east side and enjoyed touring his children through the neighborhoods and telling stories about his labor. Bill was also a lifeguard at Bradford Beach and proudly sported his 50 year lifeguard reunion t-shirt whenever possible.
After college Bill served in both the Army and the Air Force as a medic. Then, thanks to his dear friend, Jon Cyganiak, Bill embarked on what would be a 51-year career as an esteemed Chartered Life Underwriter. He received his CLU from Dartmouth University and opened his own office as an agent for Connecticut Mutual, MassMutal, and finally Partners Financial. Bill received many honors over the decades including Man of the Year, the National ELIF Award (Exceptional Level of Insurance in Force) with Connecticut Mutual and was not only a Life Member of the Million Dollar Round Table (meaning he was in the top 10% of his industry), but also held the distinction of Top Of the Table which requires agents to hold the highest standards of ethics. He prided himself on providing impeccable service to his clients. Bill had several professional affiliations including The Estate Planning Council, Association for Advanced Life Underwriting, and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
Our dad always told us that if you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life. He exemplified that by loving his practice countless hours per week and feeling purpose in helping others provide for their families.
Bill was a member of the Milwaukee Athletic Club for more than 50 years and many a day could be found working out or having lunch at the men’s pool. The family has many great memories of events at the club especially the incredible Christmas parties and Father Daughter Dinner Dances.
Bill was an active member of Ducks Unlimited, the Brewers Gold Club, and was a Wisconsin sports fanatic. He had season tickets for the Packers, Brewers, Badger football, and Marquette basketball. He loved fishing and hunting. He loved to Scuba dive. Bill served as the chaplain for the Navy League and was instrumental in the commissioning of the USS Freedom. He also completed the Citizen Academy at the FBI and enjoyed recruiting others to the program.
Bill was never one to publicize his charitable works. We will share that he loved being a part of the Douglas F. McKey Christmas Club and ReSurge International (formerly Interplast). He was a regular blood donor for decades and strongly encouraged his children to continue that life-giving act.
Bill was a voracious reader, a trait he undoubtingly received from his mother and has passed on to his children.
In 1972, he met Diane Zaharias on the steps of the Bulldog Pub under
Frenchy’s, and that night told his best friend that he would marry her. They just celebrated their 49th anniversary this summer.
They are ever grateful for the community and many dear friends they have made over the last five decades together.
Bill held the key to Diane’s heart. He was her rock and great source of strength and support. During his prolonged medical difficulties, he accepted his health issues with grace and never complained. He enjoyed food and always appreciated Diane’s efforts in the kitchen.
He gave Diane the gift and privilege of raising their children at home. To know Bill was to love him. He was her one and only.
Bill and Diane built a beautiful life together in Elm Grove that includes four children: William II, Anne (Derrick Cainion), Timothy (Chizu), and Mary Elizabeth (Tal Pnini). The family traveled the world thanks to his adventurous spirit and unbelievable generosity. Though some of our most cherished memories are the weeks we spent each summer in Eagle River, swimming, waterskiing, and listening to Brewers games and oldies music on the radio while sunbathing on the dock.
As a father, Bill was everything a man should be. His children learned the value of hard work from an early age and wanted for nothing. He found joy in everything - from the sweet gazes from his babies, teaching us to ride bikes and swim, building fires, helping us with homework, coaching little league, dancing in a recital, to supporting us through our own Jesuit university educations. Physical strength and fitness were important, and he built a dream treehouse with basic training exercises in the yard for all of us. Dad was always up for something fun be it watching a thunderstorm from the trunk of his car, to taking us for evening swims or a surprise trip to Gilles frozen custard. He had a way of making sure that we each knew how much he loved us.
Bill is further survived by his three grandchildren who completed his life: Nanami Kalmer (9), Rylan Cainion (6), and Lior Pnini (7 mos.). He was a doting grandpa and chief snuggle bug. The twinkle in his eyes when he held his grandbabies was truly something to behold.
Dad, you have impacted several generations. You were the eternal optimist and the most positive person we will ever know. Your example of strength, commitment, perseverance, faith, and love of life as well as memories that can fill books will help carry us through this grief. You are loved by so many and will be dearly missed.
The family expresses deepest gratitude to Dr. Jon Robinson and his wife Sue, for saving his life 37 years ago and again answering the call last week as leaders of the Elm Grove EMT team.
We also thank Dr. Michael Keelan and Dr. James Roth for their careful and expert cardiac care over the last several decades.
We were blessed to have Janet R., Janet D., Missy, and Daisy help us provide care for Bill during this last year. You became part of our family and we love you.
Mrs. Jeanmarie Graziano joined WJK, CLU, Ltd. more than 30 years ago and has provided excellent administrative and operational support. Thank you for your loyalty and commitment.
Father Richard Abert, S.J., for your lifelong friendship, sacrament of last rites, and funeral Mass, we thank you.
A visitation to honor Bill’s memory will be held on Saturday, September 2, 2023, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee, WI. A Mass to celebrate Bill’s life will follow at 11:30 am.
To honor his memory, in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Marquette University High School Scholarship Fund in memory of William J. Kalmer. Contact Church and Chapel Funeral Homes in Brookfield for details.