William James Topitzes

On August 28, 2013 and at the age of 80, William "Bill" Topitzes died peacefully as a result of complications from heart disease. Bill is survived by Maggie, his wife of 54 years; daughter Deni Banghart (Stuart); son Dr. James (Deborah Davis); grandchildren Maggie, Lexi, and Billy Miller; sister Tessie Papageorge; sister Harriette Topitzes; and brother Nicholas "Nick" Topitzes (Judith). Additionally, Bill leaves many adored nieces, nephews, godchildren and cousins.

A lifelong resident of Milwaukee, Bill was a devoted member of the ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH and graduate of Juneau High School and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He served in the army during the Korean War era and subsequently became the Director of Sales for Wisconsin State Fair. He also worked and advised expos and fairs including the Wide World of Women, Saratoga Fair, and Farmfest. Later in life, Bill assumed ownership of Foods of All Nations, a specialty foreign food grocery and developed a bookselling business, Discount Books. His avocation and first love, however, was baseball. As a young man, he worked as the visiting clubhouse manager for the original Milwaukee Brewers and in 1953 the Milwaukee Braves. Later he parlayed his passion for baseball into collecting rare memorabilia.

Visitation will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, from 4:00-8:00 PM on Monday, September 2nd. Trisagion will be at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, September 3rd at the ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 9400 West Congress Street, from 10:00-11:00 AM preceded by visitation from 9:30-10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Bill, memorials may be offered in his name to the ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, 9400 West Congress Street, Milwaukee, WI 53225.