William Le Roy Klugow
William “Bill”, “Billy” Le Roy Klugow was born on December 27, 1948 at the Amery hospital to Willard and Thelma Klugow of Turtle Lake. He was number two of three children. He weighed in at a whooping 9lbs 11 ounces. He was a charming fellow right from the start – warming the hearts of 2 different judges, and winning “the cutest baby” contest – 2 times.
He attended school at Turtle Lake from Kindergarten through 3rd grade, then attended school the next 3 grades in Springfield Illinois. The family returned to Turtle Lake in 1961, and Bill finished his schooling there – graduating in the class on 1967.
Bill and his brother, Zip, spent most hours in or on the lake at their home on Horseshoe Lake, Fishing, boating, swimming every chance they got. Bill played football and he was prom king his senior year. He learned how to swing a hammer at a young age.
After high school, he worked at Andersen Windows that summer, and then went to school in Rice Lake at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College (WITC) for Architecture.
Bill married Patricia Spurlock on September 27th 1969. Three children were born, Shannon Rae in 1970, Billie Jo Melissa in 1973 and Jason George in 1974.
Bill worked as a carpenter, and moved to the Danbury area in 1974. He became a contractor and built many homes in that area, including completing a 3 story French style home on Briggs Lake. It was quite a spectacular building.
Bill was a volunteer at the Danbury fire department, becoming fire chief in 1991. The fire department held the Water Skip on Yellow Lake, and many other fund raisers for years to raise money for new equipment. The Department was the first in the area to have the Jaws of Life.
Bill served on the board in Swiss township for many years eventually becoming town chairman until the present date.
Bill was an active hunter – both deer and bear. The annual 10 day deer season ritual was in process when all Klugow and Espeseth trucks started heading north to the cabin on the Friday night before the season opener. Many times these guys were not to be seen or heard from again until the season was over. Over the years the names of the hunters changed, older family members being replaced by the younger kids who couldn’t wait until they turned 12 and could become a member of the KE camp. In 2000, they could no longer rent the land near the St. Croix River, and the group bought 5 acres of land 3 miles from the old cabin, and built a new cabin. This coming fall would see 3 new hunters joining the ranks, one being Austin Klugow. Bill was looking forward to hunting with his grandson this year.
While Bill loved deer hunting, his passion was the pursuit of the black bear with his hounds. Some years he had up to 32 hounds that he was training and grooming to be their best at picking up the scent and trailing the bear. You always knew when you were nearing Bill’s home by the crescendos of the hounds.
Bill worked at the local level for the Bear Hunters Association, and became the president of the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association and served till the present date. He was active on the WBHA Board for 9 years.
The Northern Wisconsin Bear hunters are known for their spring clean up every year –removing more than 3 semi loads of junk and garbage from the woods in Douglas and Burnett County this year.
The Wisconsin Bear Hunters offered a disabled bear hunting experience for the young man from Kansas last year.
Bill was a loving father of 3 and a loving step-father of 3 and a grandfather of 8. His bear hunting was a family affair, and you could find him with children, grandchildren, nephews, and cousins, pursuing the sport. He was doing what he loved the best on the day he died.
Bill was involved in so many activities in the Danbury community in which he lived. He will be greatly missed.
Bill is survived by:
Daughters-
Shannon Klugow of Clear Lake, WI
Billie Jo Johnson (David) of Washburn, WI
Son-
Jason Klugow (Christina) of Amery, WI
Step-Daughters-
Jenna Benton of Clear Lake, WI
Step-Sons-
Jacob Benton of Danbury, WI
Joshua Benton of Webster, WI
Grandchildren-
Austin Klugow, Andrew Johnson, Caitlyn Dusek, Abigail Johnson, Samuel Dusek, Carmen Klugow, Amelia Johnson, and Trenton Olson
Mother-
Thelma Klugow of Webster, WI
Brother-
David Zip Klugow (Ann) of Almena, WI
Sister-
Charee’ McClaren (Rick) of Dillon, Montana
Pall Bearers-
Jeffery Klugow, Thomas Klugow, Kevin Klugow, Michael Espeseth, James Espeseth, Ray Nykanen
Honorary Pall Bearers-
Austin Klugow, Andrew Johnson, Jacob Benton, Joshua Benton, Greg Johnson, Bruce Maxon, Mark Brown, Wayne O’Loughlon, Steve Weirchem, Gary Grammer, Rick Espeseth, Scott Espeseth and the Danbury Fire Department.
You may send cards and condolences to:
Klugow Family
P.O. Box 1
Danbury, WI 54830