William H. Weaver

William Harold Weaver, 66, Deer Spring Lake, WI, passed away on 10/29/2024 with his sisters by his side. Bill was born in Appleton on May 5, 1958, to George (Bill) and Shirley (née Pederson) Weaver. He graduated from Appleton East High School in 1976 and retired after 35 years of service with Air Wisconsin and United Airlines. Bill’s job required that he work out in the elements, and he was prepared for all kinds of weather. He became the family weatherman, alerting us all when his NOAA approved klaxon radio sounded the alarm. The stars aligned for Bill when a winter storm was headed for Northeast Wisconsin--on his day off. He would fire up a batch of chili, light candles and curate a round of movies for the perfect snow day. Many nicknames for Bill came and went. The two that stuck were "The Appliance King" and "Mr. Christmas." 

The Appliance King earned his crown by making on-point recommendations from hand mixers to energy saving freezers. Always fully researched, friends and family regularly sought his expert advice. Vacuum cleaners, microwaves, cordless hedge trimmers and branching out to winter tires, Bill was your man. Though he marveled at the European brands, Bill was a practical consumer. He wore his KitchenAid ball cap year round. Bill was born with great taste, and he knew it. 

As Mr. Christmas, the earliest memory for Bill was when in second grade he would report to Mom his critique of the neighbors’ gaudy outdoor lights. His obsession with all things Christmas was a pursuit of perfection. Bill often would chide hapless gift wrapping and sagging garlands. He put himself in charge of everything and endeavored to make each Christmas better than the last. He literally banned ham for a decade because dinners had become lackluster in his opinion. When Bill began talking to you about C-9 lights and syncing timers, it was the moment to back out slowly. He conjured grand gift ideas and coerced our parents into buying fancy presents that required bigger bows every year. And it was blasphemy to think of Die Hard as a Christmas movie. 

Bill loved cooking, movies, music, and the Packers. His scratch stuffing, renowned potato salad, and subtly herbed buns were the stars of any meal he made. Bill loved classic movies and collected all editions of his favorite titles. He obsessed over vintage record players and juke boxes--culminating in the purchase of a Wurlitzer and a trove of 45's that took up an entire wall in his home. As a Packer fan, Bill fully embraced the Jordon Love era and loved wearing the Green and Gold every Sunday.

Quietly, Bill brimmed with compassion. He contributed to the FDNY families of 9/11, sent money to help save the Koala bears from bush fires in Australia, and regularly gave to the Cats of Flatbush in NYC. Bill was a union man and an unwavering Democrat. He adored his family, his coworkers, cats Axel and Malone, and his place up north. We will miss Bill’s sharp wit, dry humor, and his larger than life spirit. We are comforted knowing he is with loving family that have walked on before him.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, George and Shirley, grandparents, aunts and uncles. He is survived by two sisters, Cheryl Ann Weaver, and Christianne Weaver; his aunts Barbara Weaver Krause and Jean Weaver Sharon; his niece Bree Ann Parkitny and Pelican Lake cousins. The family will have a private service. If you wish to honor Bill, please make a donation to your local animal shelter; that would please him. The family would like to thank the nurses of Froedtert Medical Hospital for the outstanding comfort and care provided to Bill. Also to family friend Jean Haese. He adored all of you.