William E. Zabel, Jr. Age 87, of Rice Lake, WI, died Monday, November 25, 2024 at his home.

William E. “Bill” Zabel was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin to William and Lucille (Demars) Zabel on September 9, 1937. He grew up on the farm once owned by his grandparents, Elzear and Lena (Wille) Demars. Bill attended Lincoln Grade School in the Town of Rice Lake first through fourth grade, Barron County Normal School (teacher’s college),fifth through eighth grade, and Rice Lake High School. He enjoyed playing baseball and running track for sports and graduated in 1955.

The first job post high school was operating a clipper at Birchwood Manufacturing while he attended night school at Rice Lake Vocational School for bookkeeping and accounting. Later that year, he enlisted in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, Company C 1st Battalion 128th Infantry. He married Nancy Soper at the Birchwood Methodist Church on August 3rd, 1957. They moved to an apartment in Eau Claire while Nancy attended UW-Eau Claire and Bill became bookkeeper for the new Red Owl Grocery Store in Eau Claire. Two sons were born at Sacred Heart Hospital, William F. on May 25, 1958, and Daniel C. on June 13, 1960.

On October 15, 1961, President John F. Kennedy activated the Army National Guard troops in Wisconsin to send men to Fort Lewis, Washington. The regular army troops who had been stationed there went to Germany during the Berlin Crisis. Bill came home for Christmas. He returned to Washington state with Nancy and the boys in the back of a station wagon driven by Sgt. Dudrey, including Ken’s wife and two dogs. They all lived in a rented house in Shelton, Washington for the duration of the assignment.

After returning home to Eau Claire, Bill began selling insurance for New York Life, and after some success as an agent, went into management to hire and train new agents. During this time, he and the family moved to St.Joseph, Missouri so that Bill could work with the agency there. The next summer, the family moved to Rice Lake so their sons could attend school in Bill’s hometown and be closer to family. Back in Wisconsin, Bill became involved with the National Guard as a career counselor for the battalion. He had a total of 29 years of service in the Guard and became a Life Member of AMVETS.

In rediscovering Rice Lake through the Newcomers Club, Bill also became a member of the Optimist Club and followed Ed Brunner as President. Bill’s dad invited him to the Loyal Order of the Moose, and Bill remained a member for over 50 years. Bill was a Rice Lake Lion for over 25 years after being introduced by charter member Stan Bergum. Bill also served on the Rice Lake Park Board for 15 years. Since the day Bill married Nancy, he has attended the United Methodist Church wherever they have lived. When Bill went to work for Gary Swant at Swant Brothers’ Motors in Barron, his job was to set up the business office and work with banks and credit unions to find the best interest for customers. He also sold vehicles and service contracts when needed. The worst part of the job was brushing snow off vehicles in the sales lot while the best part was meeting fine people.

Bill is survived by his wife, Nancy (Soper) Zabel; two sons, Bill (Barb) Elk Mound, and Dan (Carol) Eau Claire, four grandchildren; Katie Casci (Tony), Ben, Andrew (Hannah), Jonah, two great grandchildren; Archie and Ayla Casci.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Lucille Zabel.

The funeral service is scheduled for Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 10:30 am at the First United Methodist Church, 1221 Wesley Drive in Rice Lake. Visitation one hour prior to the service. The reception after the funeral will be at the Rice Lake Moose Lodge. Interment will be at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Last Update: Nov 26, 2024 1:29 pm CST