Obituary of Wilfred August Nass

Wilfred (Willy) August Nass, Sr., has been reunited in spirit with his beloved wife, Joyce. Willy quietly passed away on July 9, 2011, at Lakeland Health Care Center, with his children and his dog at his side. He was an honest man who was dedicated to his family and devoted to Joyce, who passed away last year. Those who knew Willy will not forget his irrepressible sense of humor, remarkable stubbornness and legendary ability to talk to anyone about anything at any time. Except for the years he proudly served as a young man with the Army Air Corps in Texas and California, Willy lived his life in Whitewater, Wisconsin. He was born to Frederick and Hattie (Huth) Nass, Jr., on December 15, 1922. He completed eighth grade and was on his own by age 15. He married Joyce Sherman, also of Whitewater, in 1949. Willy�s lifelong priority was to provide for his family. He was a farmhand, owned a cab company, shoveled coal, worked in a canning factory, delivered mail, drove a school bus and was a crossing guard. Perhaps his greatest contribution to his community was the 21 years he honorably served as an officer with the Whitewater Police Department. He was a toe-tapping, sing-along lover of music and was not happier than when dancing with Joyce, which he did as often as possible. In his later years, he was most comfortable at home with Joyce and their pets, tending his bird feeders, making peace with the squirrels and enjoying his quiet routine. Willy and Joyce were intrepid travelers, known for leaving on a moment�s notice to drive cross-country to surprise a friend, making regular trips south to the ocean and west to the mountains, and, in recent years, traveling with their children to Alaska and Europe. Willy had an adventurous appetite for good food and drink, easy conversation and beautiful places. He was a lifelong member of St. John�s Evangelical Lutheran Church and a strict, loving father who was guided by faith and pragmatism. He instilled in his children the honor of hard work, a love for animals and the delight of exploring the world around us. Willy was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his brother, Gerald. He is survived by his children: Wilfred/Wally (Beverly Bubner) Nass, Jr. of Russiaville, IN; Stephen Nass (fiance Sheila Reiff of Elkhorn, WI) of Whitewater, WI; Melodie (Jim) Flewelling of Janesville, WI; and Heidi Nass (Tariq) Saqqaf of Madison, WI; eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater, Wisconsin, at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2011, with visitation from 10 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Burial at Richmond Cemetery and luncheon will follow the service. The family gratefully requests that those wishing to make a memorial contribution for Willy consider his favorite charities, Touched by a Paw in Whitewater and the Humane Society of Jefferson County.