William 'Bill' G. Gensler

William G. Gensler, age 75, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 27, 2013. Bill was born in Clintonville, WI, on February 11, 1938, son of the late George and Bernece Gensler.

Bill had a great passion for flying and owned and operated Gensler Aviation. He was fascinated with planes as a child and making a life in aviation was a boyhood dream. He attended Marquette University, worked as a medical technologist at St. Luke's Hospital and then pursued his dream to become a pilot. He operated his business out of Batten International Airport in Racine for more than 40 years. Bill was an experienced pilot with over 40,000 hours of flight time and was well known in the aviation community. As an instructor he built many long-lasting relationships with his students.

Friends describe Bill as a fun, warm, spontaneous people person. He was physically active, taking long walks with his companion dog, Lacey. He thoroughly enjoyed social time with friends, cooking, playing cards or watching football. He enjoyed music from the '40s and '50s.

Survivors include Bill’s four sons, Daniel (Chris) Gensler of Coronado, CA, Jeff Gensler (Suzie Heath) of Deltona, FL, Jim Gensler of Palm Coast, FL, Steve (Margarita) Gensler of Fort Mill, South Carolina; his grandchildren, Brooke Gensler, Lauren Gensler, Justin (Lydah) Denneau, Jamie Gensler, Samantha Gensler, Ashley Manchester, Steven and Benjamin Gensler; his six great-grandchildren, Zaya and Xander, and Cameron, Nahkeem, Nazir, Natasha; and sister, Mary (David) Miller of New Smyrna Beach, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 5, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., with Rev. Terrance J. Huebner officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with Mass at 11 a.m.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine    (262) 634-7888