Leonard William “Bill” Mellen 07/26/1926 – 08/18/2026 Obituary Written by Bill Mellen, minimal edits by family
Bill Mellen passed away at his home in Granbury, TX on August 18, 2026, surrounded by his wife and family. He had recently turned 100 years old.
He was born July 26,1926 in Menominee, MI the son of late Peshtigo, WI residents: Leonard George Mellen and Lillian (Schwarten) Mellen.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years: Lois (Watts) Mellen, his daughters: Colleen Mellen and Julie Ray, his grandchildren: Jessica Crowley, Chelsea Fralick and David Quackenbush, and his great-grandchildren: Parker Burke, John Fralick, Madelyn Fralick, Carter Quackenbush and Kennedy Quackenbush as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is pre-deceased by his sister Maxine (Mellen) Wilson and nephew Michael Wilson
Bill grew up on Cranberry Avenue, in Peshtigo, WI, indulging in all the great childhood adventures of a boy’s life in the legendary “Up North”. He was confirmed at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. Bill was valedictorian of Peshtigo High School’s class of 1944 and was especially proud to be captain of the school’s football team.
Bill enlisted in the Army Air Force (AAF, as then known) as a seventeen-year-old high school senior in May 1944. After graduation, he was briefly employed at Badger Mills, then ordered to active duty in January 1945. Following basic training, he was trained as an AAF combat plane radio operator at AAF technical schools around the US. When WWII ended, he was retrained as an aircraft radio operator-instructor. His unit was sent to US Air Force bases in Germany and Austria from July 1946 to November 1946 to teach onsite, new aircraft radio technologies, to airplane mechanics. He was able to return home for Christmas, December 1946.
Bill served for two years in the AAF and was honorably discharged as an AAF sergeant in January 1947. In talking with Bill later in life, he felt he was not a true WWII Veteran, having not been involved in active duty overseas. He honored and mourned his local friends who by chance of birth year, fought, lost their lives, or whose lives were inexplicably changed by their WWII service.
After Military discharge, Bill enrolled at the University of Wisconsin- Madison, under the GI Bill. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in Economics. Bill fondly recalled returning home to Peshtigo for summer breaks, working at Badger Mills and spending free time with his local pals.
Bill was employed in the insurance industry in Madison, WI for the decade after college graduation. He was fortunate, early on, to meet and marry Lois Mae Watts RN who had recently graduated from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, then employed at University of Wisconsin Hospitals in Madison. Bill and Lois were married at the University of Wisconsin Lutheran Chapel on October 13, 1956.
Bill and Lois welcomed two beautiful daughters, Colleen and Julie, who over time became accomplished professionals and good citizens. Bill and Lois were proud Papa and Grandma to three grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Colleen and Julie, along with their children and grandchildren were frequent and welcome visitors from their homes outside Wisconsin.
Bill began employment at the Milwaukee home office of Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance company in 1961. He and his family lived in the Milwaukee suburb of Mequon. He commuted to Northwestern Mutual’s downtown offices for many years. Bill served twenty of these years as an administrative officer and a Regional Director of Policy Owner Services.
Bill earned a Master of Arts degree in History from UW- Milwaukee at age 58, as a special interest. In his middle years, he reignited his long-time interest in athletics and enhanced physical activity. He was a frequent age-group winner and high place finisher up until his 80’s, in Milwaukee area running, biking and mini triathlon events. Bill rode his bicycle on many long tours throughout the USA, including many National parks. He managed to log 80,000 measured miles on his bicycle after retirement. He retired from bicycle riding at age 92 when he proudly sent his bike with odometer, to his grandson David- to continue the journey.
Bill and Lois moved from the suburbs to downtown Milwaukee shortly before Bill’s retirement at age 62. They enjoyed being close to the city’s entertainment and sports venues including: the symphony orchestra, Performing arts center, ballet, Skylight Theater, all the festivals, farmer’s markets, the baseball stadium and the Downtown YMCA. Their condo and condo pool were the site of many family parties and friendly gatherings. Bill enjoyed going out to lunch with his Northwestern Mutual retiree friends right up until his late 90’s.
Bill and Lois travelled extensively across the USA, Mexico/ Central/ South America, Europe, Africa, India, Russia and Asia. Some of their travels were planned tours, but many were adventurous self-planned trips to foreign places. Bill spent years researching his Irish and German family histories. He published these findings on Ancestry.com. He enjoyed finding new information from distant and previously unknown relatives, who contacted him through Ancestry.com
Bill and Lois moved to Granbury, TX less than two years ago, to be closer to family. Bill enjoyed sitting outside in the warm, sunny weather and mild winters. He was an avid reader and tried not to miss a Wisconsin Badger basketball or football game, Packer or Brewers’ game on TV.
Bill recently celebrated his 100th Birthday party on July 26, 2026 with his wife Lois, along with his immediate and extended family, who travelled for the joyous three-day event held at the Pecan Country Club in Granbury, TX. At the party, Bill provided us with a heartwarming speech about his long life on this Earth and his secret to longevity, the key is… “everyone needs to have a Lois” in their life.
Bill left his family with many wise life lessons: -Research and appreciate your Roots! -Love your family every day! -Remain curious, be a life-long learner! -Be financially smart, retire early! -Get out and see this big, beautiful world! -Never forget… once a Badger always a Badger!
There will be no formal funeral ceremony per Bill’s request. Interment is at the Mellen family plot at Riverside cemetery in Peshtigo, WI.
