William A. Scafe was born on March 24, 1945 in Sparta, Wisconsin to Clayton and Bernice (Johnson) Scafe. He grew up in Sparta graduating from Sparta High School in 1963. Upon graduation he switched from being a member of the US Naval Reserves to being a member of the US Air Force in which he served for 20 years, retiring in May 1985 at a TSgt. His numerous base assignments were in Michigan, California, Okinawa, Delaware and England. His wife and children were with him at all bases.

Bill married Darlene Shoemaker on May 30, 1964 after meeting in high school his junior year and her senior year. Bill loved to tell friends, who didn’t know his wife’s full name, that he married Alice but his girlfriend was Darlene, letting many friends think he was cheating on his wife. After his retirement from the US Air Force he became a part-time golfer and a full time bowling machine mechanic in bowling alleys in England, Ohio and the Madison area. This also caused him to become a very good bowler. He then worked at Zimbrick East delivering customers and doing building maintenance. Eventually the golfing became full time and the working part time.

Bill passed away on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Jefferson Memory Care after putting up a brave fight against Alzheimer’s.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene of Jefferson; daughter Jamie (Bryan) Steilkie of Fort Atkinson; son, Jeff of Jefferson; grandsons, Jared (Brittney) Steilkie of Delavan and Corey (Renee) Steilkie of Fort Bliss, TX; great-grandchildren Cadence, Hunter and Paige; brothers Creg of Sparta and Jim of Beaver Dam; sister Mary (Ted) Willgrubs of Oak Ridge, TN; sisters-in-law, Jeri (Ed) Shaw of Watertown, Eileen Shoemaker of Stoughton and June (Bill) Soucy of Murrells Inlet, SC; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton and Bernice; his father and mother-in-law Orlo and Alice Shoemaker, two sisters-in-law, Joanne and Kay Scafe; one brother-in-law, Fred Shoemaker and one niece, Alison (Scafe) Theriault.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 6924 Lake Road, DeForest with Reverend Michael Willitz officiating. Military honors will be presented by American Legion Post 348 and the Air Force Honor Guard.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service with American Legion Pass & Review at 10:45.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin.

Inurnment will be at a later date in the Angelo Cemetery.

William Scafe

March 24, 1945 - June 17, 2016

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