William L. Betz

BETZ, William “Bill” L.

William ‘Bill’ L. Betz, age 76, of La Crosse, died Thursday, May 4, 2017, in Mayo Clinic Health System. He was born in Galesville, Wis., on January 23,1941, to Wilbert and Lorna (Sacia) Betz. He married Joan Hoff on January 30, 1960, in Galesville, Wis., then married Joan Albrecht and they later divorced. He later married Tracy Cooke.

Bill worked different jobs throughout the years mostly as a salesman which was the reason he was transferred to Appleton. He later became a commercial chemical sprayer for many years. After his retirement, he still worked part time at the local bar, Class of 68’, where he also enjoyed a lot of his free time. He also enjoyed collecting and cleaning up cast iron. He enjoyed going to auctions and learning about old machines. Also, in the past 26 years he was an Elvis impersonator where he performed for local nursing homes and birthday parties. He became well known for it and most people just referred to him as “Elvis”. He was a very charismatic person who could light up a room instantly when he walked in.

Bill is survived by his wife Tracy, of La Crosse; three children, Robert (Anne) Betz, of Appleton, Wis., Laura Betz, of Appleton, Wis., and Brigette Betz, of La Crosse. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, and father-in-law, Rudy and Marge Ramirez, of Gays Mills, Wis.; one sister, Sacia Andersen of Galesville, Wis., and numerous other family members.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan and his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM, Wednesday, May 10, 2017, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Home, 1501 West Ave. South La Crosse, Wis. Rev. Michael Hibbs will officiate with burial to be held in Decorah Prairie Cemetery in Galesville, Wis. Friends and family may call from 4 to 6:00 PM, on Tuesday, May 9, 2016 at the Funeral Home.