Wilfred W. “Bill” Streff, 100, of West Bend died Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, at his residence in Cedar Bay East. He was born July 22, 1912, in Chicago to the late Nicholas and Mary (nee Even) Streff and married Ethel Method in April of 1947. She preceded him in death in 1958. He then married Marie L. Ocvirk on May 7, 1960, in Milwaukee.

At the start of World War II Bill took a job with the civilian branch of the Air Corps, maintaining the plywood training planes. In 1943 he entered the U.S. Navy as a chief carpenters mate and was involved in ship repair.

In 1947, he opened the Streff Shop in the old Poole Blacksmith Shop in Port Washington and began making cabinets. In 1950 he built a new shop on Spring Street and operated the business until retiring in 1977.

Bill and Marie moved to West Bend in 1980. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marie, two children Mary Lu Wallace of Kenosha and Paul of Milwaukee, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and other relatives and friends.


He is preceded in death by his parents Nicholas and Mary Streff, his wife Ethel, his son William, two sisters, Cecil Dahm and Florence Ollrogge, and his son-in-law George Wallace.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend with the Rev. Nathan Reesman presiding. The visitation will be Thursday, at the church only from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Masses or memorials to St. Frances Cabrini Church or Cedar Community are appreciated.

The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.

Online guestbook and condolences are available at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.