William Ainsworth Hart, Jr. (“Bill”) passed away on January 22, 2024, at his home in Mequon, Wisconsin. Bill was born on August 30, 1944, in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the son of the late William and Virginia Hart.
Bill graduated from Wauwatosa East High School in 1961 and then headed to Oxford, Mississippi to attend Ole Miss. He was a proud member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and treasured his college years at Ole Miss. During his college years he spent time working as a ranch hand in Utah an experience that informed the rest of his life.
On a snowy day in 1965, Bill married his beloved wife, Marilyn Kelly. Bill and Marilyn met on a blind date and a big win in Vegas triggered his proposal to his love back home. Their relationship endured throughout his life.
Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather and his family was his cornerstone. Together Bill and Marilyn raised five daughters: Anneke (Nick Self); Kelly (Michael Grebe); Amy (Aaron Marshall); Whitney (Jon Mason); and Elizabeth “Boo” ( Brian Brate). He was known as “Grandad” by the thirteen grandchildren who made him very proud: Emma, Lily, Cole, Michael (Tripp), Bridger (deceased), Griffin, Essex (deceased), Skylar, Carolyn, Eiley, Webb, Emerson, and Parker.
Bill was a patriot whose Christian faith was an important part of his life. He devoted his time, treasure, and talent to his church, Holy Apostles Anglican Church, serving as its Treasurer for many years. He loved sports and was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed laughing, telling stories and the sound of a happy family in his home, cherishing the time he spent with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Bill is survived by Marilyn, his loving wife of 59 years, his brother Herb Hart and his sister Wendy Wooworth.
A service to honor Bill’s life will be held this spring. His wife and daughters expect to host a reception at that time where family and friends can share memories and celebrate Bill’s life.
William Ainsworth Hart will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His stories, his strong convictions, his belief in traditional values, and the warmth of his company will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Memorial Service at Holy Apostles Anglican Church, 142 Lake St, Pewaukee, WI 53072, Friday, May 10, 2PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Bridger and Essex Grebe Fund, Bill’s charity of choice in support of a cure for Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy that took his grandchildren too soon, www.bridgerandessexgrebefund.com
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Kate Levy
left a message on January 27, 2024:
