William Allen Anderson, age 90, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Froedtert Menominee Falls Hospital. The date of death is very relevant as Bill never hesitated to remind us that he is number 1.

Born May 3, 1936, in Kenosha, he is the son of the late William H. “Sonny” and Elva Josephine (Orth) Anderson. Bill graduated as a member of the Kenosha High School class of 1956, with an extensive sports portfolio. He was an extremely accomplished athlete, with focus on basketball and track.

From 1954 until 1957, Bill proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps, during the Korean Conflict. As an aircraft mechanic, he was stationed in Japan and South Korea. It was very important to Bill during these trying times; he maintained a presence in local bars and social settings. He was also awarded a Good Conduct Medal, which may surprise some.

Upon his return from war, he spent two years studying at the University of South Dakota and later the University of Kenosha Extension.  He accomplished nothing as these were ploys to drink and party at college bars. It was strictly a goal to spend the military college stiped to avoid wasting money he had earned. Regardless, Bill was a success in everything he set out to do. Failure was not an option.

On October 29, 1960, he was united in marriage to Dora D. Cosenza at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.  The union was later dissolved, although he had gained so much during this time. It was his four children from this marriage that provided him with the ability to release and replenish all his stress. Bill bragged to everyone about his children, but rarely said anything positive to them as a manipulation tool to force them to perform better in all activities he demanded for them. As an athlete himself, he instructed his children, both as a coach and as a dad. Coaching did not end after the event; he continued to guide from the end of one game or swim meet until the next. It was a continuous cycle. He preferred success over compassion yet never took an opportunity to feel proud of his kids for granted. This is a gift he continued with his grandchildren. However, Bill is easy to love, and he has a skill for cooling off immediately. He was so proud of his family and their accomplishments, and saying he was proud may still be an understatement.

Bill was employed as a quality control supervisor for 25 years at American Motors. Upon retirement at young age, Bill took a chance and challenged himself and his family, and decided to purchase a struggling laundromat, turning it into a highly reputable dry-cleaning business called Classic Cleaners. After 10 successful years in the family business, resulting in two locations and many drop-off sites, he decided to retire for good. With his time, he chose to become a snowbird, traveling every six months between his winter home in Sarasota, Florida and his home in Kenosha during the summer.

In addition to his success in the business, this is also where he met his life partner, Marjean Stern. She is a real blessing to him as well as his children and grandchildren. She found her place in the family immediately. This was a true love story of how opposites attract. Recently, it was as if the love they had for each other had multiplied, without even knowing the days were numbered.

Bill was an active person, spending most of his time on the golf course. His most recent “hole in one” was recorded on February 20, 2019, in Sarasota, with his good golfing pals as witnesses. When not golfing Bill would be found counting his money and strategically spending it at local grocery stores. Very little excited him as much as a good deal.  Some may call him cheap, but it’s the thrill of the hunt for this man. Money not spent on food, is placed securely in the stock market as Bill was a genius with investing. Nobody could solve a finance problem, shoot a statistic or figure percentages better than him. This is probably the reason some affectionately referred to him as “Dollar Bill.”

Miraculously, Bill was a member of St. Mary’s Church, which is still standing today. This proves churches don’t crumble because the people in it. He was also a member of the Kenosha Golf Association.

Bill is survived by all of his Anderson clan, which includes his children, Paul (Lynette) Anderson, Kurt (Donna Gallo), Jane (Mark) Gremer, Jill (Chad) Ovitt all of Kensha; His grandchildren, Jake (Mackenzie) Gremer and Luke Gremer, Carly (Bobby) Kroes and Kinsey (Tyler) Ottum, JC Diane, Marin, Cal Ovitt; His great grandchildren, Brynlee and Bailey Lyjak and Laken Kroes; sisters Katheleen Santelli and Linda Carlson; and the love of his life Marjean Stern.

In addition to his parents, William was preceded in death by his brother, Gilbert Anderson.

In accordance with Bill’s wishes, he personally approved of these final words and gave us his blessing to have this version published when it was time. His humor lives on…

Funeral services will be held at a later date. As Bill would have said, both the devil and God are still fighting over him, however, when the time comes, Marjean and his children have decided that projecting him out of his lazy boy recliner and into Lake Michigan would be more entertaining for them.

Memorial remembrances in Bill’s honor may be made to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, https://www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org/donate/