William Robert Terlep

William Robert Terlep, age 88, was taken from us on 12/11/2020 at his home surrounded by family after suffering a valiant fight with COVID-19.
William was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois where he attended Joliet Central High School and was later employed by Barrett Wholesale Hardware Company. While in high school William was named to the Illinois All State football team and was voted “most valuable” by his teammates.
He was the son of Hattie Marie (Speaker) and Martin John Terlep. William had three brothers, Marty Edward (Carol nee Krohn), Edward Frederick (Gloria nee Kozlowski), and DeDe (Richard Glenn) and his wife Barbara (nee Moerbe). He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Edward and sister-in-law Gloria.
He was married in 1972 to Delora Minnette (Watson). They resided in Joliet, Illinois for 14 years before moving to Nashville, TN where he was employed by Hospital Corporation of America. He retired in 1994. In 1996 they moved to Woodruff, Wisconsin on Little Arbor Vitae Lake, which was their dream from the time they visited in 1978 while taking their son on a fishing vacation.
They raised two children, Gina Minnette (Michaelson) Lewellyan and John Francis Terlep. His son, John, blessed him with a court order at the age of 18 changing his surname to Terlep, as a tribute to the loving father who raised him.
He felt his greatest achievement in life was seeing their children happily married and having families of their own. Gina and her husband David K. Lewellyan have four children, Colleen Minnette, Patrick Keenan, Ryan Joseph, and Kaitlyn Marie. John and his wife Sheila Maye (Griffith) have three children, William Joseph and fiancé Kendall Schlemmer, Elizabeth Nichole and partner Max Voirol, and Shane Griffin. He is also survived by nine dear nieces and nephews.
Nimsgern Funeral and Cremation Services was in charge of cremation. Due to the COVID pandemic no services are planned at this time. Memorials may be sent to the Howard Young Foundation, P.O. Box 470 Woodruff, WI 54568; however, the greatest tribute to Bill’s life would be to please wear a mask and practice social distancing.
The family wants to express their gratitude to all of the staff at Howard Young Medical Center for their determination to get him well enough to be discharged home. Also, the Compassus Hospice staff who went above and beyond to make his last days as painless and peaceful as possible.
Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com
NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.