William "Bill" Creamer's Obituary
William “Bill” Creamer passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, with his family by his side. He was born on the West Side of Chicago on October 15th, 1936. Bill often said that growing up on the West Side was an education in itself.
He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. During his time in Chicago, Bill also earned his real estate license and gained recognition as a Golden Gloves boxer, even being featured in the Chicago Tribune in 1955.
Bill lived in Chicago until 1971, but his love for Wisconsin led him to move to Wild Rose that same year. Not long after, he met his wife, Lynn, and the two were married on June 24th, 1972.
Bill embraced life in central Wisconsin. He worked in real estate and went on to purchase and develop a 279-acre property in Hancock, WI, which he named Greenwood Acres. Creating this development was one of his proudest accomplishments. Bill envisioned a place where people could enjoy the natural beauty of the area, and he worked hard to bring that vision to life. Greenwood Acres offered scenic waterfront, peaceful wooded lots, and a welcoming community that residents continue to enjoy to this day. It was a project that reflected both his love for the land and his desire to build something lasting for others.
In 1975, the first ski run was cut for what would become Nordic Mountain Ski Area — a business that Bill led, developed, and managed. Over the years, it employed nearly 150 people each winter and served as a valuable contributor to the local economy for decades.
Bill never took credit for the success of Greenwood Acres or Nordic Mountain. He often said it wasn’t about him — it was about the hard work and dedication of the people around him. He felt fortunate to have had such support through the years and believed none of it would have been possible without them.
While Bill had a passion for building businesses and working in real estate, his greatest joy came from spending time with his family. He would most want to be remembered as a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle. Bill loved his family more than anything, and his pride in them could be felt every day.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 53 years, Lynn; his daughter, Marnie Creamer; his son, Benjamin (Nichole) Creamer, and their children Isabelle, Henry, and Charlie. He is also survived by his grandson, Scott (Megan) Creamer, and their son Cayson, and by grandchildren Madeline and Owen Creamer. Other surviving family members include his sister, Kathleen Sonken; sister-in-law, Mary Creamer; brother-in-law, Mark Handrich; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Jeremiah and Margaret Creamer; his sons, Brian Creamer and William P. Creamer; his four older brothers, Jeremiah, Terrence, Daniel (Nora), and John (Nancy) Creamer; as well as nephews Thomas Creamer, Michael Creamer, and Scott Sonken.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday April 12, 2025 at 12 P.M. at the Holly Funeral Home in Wild Rose, WI. Deacon Bob Precourt will officiate, with burial to follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Wild Rose, WI. A visitation will be held on Saturday April 12, 2025 from 10 A.M. until the time of the service at 12 P.M. at the Holly Funeral Home in Wild Rose, WI.
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