William “Bill” R. Arnold Sr.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Diane: his son Bill Jr (Sue), his daughter Corcinna (Cori), his grandsons Dustin (Kyla), Chase (Kortney) and Bryce; his granddaughter Samantha; his great grandsons Owen and Kase; and his great granddaughters Emma and Blake, and a sister, Cathy Arnold. He also leaves behind his beloved dog Aly, who will greatly miss her ‘Daddy’.
Bill was born on December 9, 1948 in Beloit, WI to Ralph and Eva (Meech) Arnold. He graduated from Clinton High School in 1967. He proudly served his country in the Vietnam War as a Spec 4 in the Big Red One and Americal Divisions of the US Army where he received two Purple Hearts (one in each division). He served from February 1969 until his honorable discharge in 1971.
Bill married his high school sweetheart Diane Maly on March 2, 1970 in Honolulu, Hawaii while on R & R from Vietnam. He returned to his job at the Chrysler plant in Belvidere, IL which he retired from in 1999. He graduated from Rock Valley College Rockford, IL with an Associate’s Degree in Earth Science.
Bill and his wife built their dream home in the Oxford area completing it in 2020. Bill called it his “Paradise on Earth”. While living in Beloit, WI, Bill was active with the Turtle Volunteer Fire Department where he also served as an EMT and paramedic. He served at one time as the Turtle Township Chairman. He was also a former member of St. Stephen’s Parish in Clinton and the Knights of Columbus.
Bill loved to trap, hunt, fish, and shoot trap as well as traveling all over the World. He was a former member of the Rock Valley Anglers, the Beloit Rifle Club and Ducks Unlimited. Bill was the Parade Marshall for the 2024 Fourth of July parade in Adams/Friendship.
Bill was a life member and Chaplain of the Oxford VW Post 6003 where he enjoyed calling Bingo on Monday nights when he wasn’t traveling or trapshooting at the Pine Bluff or Westfield trap clubs. He was a life member of VVA.
Bill participated in 2019 as part of the Badger Honor Flight to Washington DC accompanied by his daughter Cori. He also went proudly on the Vet’s Roll in 2024 to Washington DC.
Bill was a devout member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he enjoyed serving as an usher and greeter. He was third degree knight at the St. Joseph’s KC Council #6718 where he served as an Inside Guard. He was the sextant of Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Bill was the current Commander of the Adams County Honor Guard. He was also on the Veteran Service Commission to help with the new memorial at the courthouse.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; sister Barbara Brown; and nephew Jason Brown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Oxford VFW Post 6003, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or the Knights of Columbus Council #6718.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Friendship, Wisconsin, with Father David Bruener officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Brooks, Wisconsin.
Visitation will take place from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 27, 2025, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, and again at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.
bill was a freind brother of all us vietnam veterans he will sadly be missed by all of us god bless you
My condolences to you and your family Diane. Bill was my most cherished friend and Brother. He and I could talk about virtually anything. Most of the time, our deepest conversations about life and Faith on our Lord and Savior took place while we were working on his boat, or just sitting in those old web chairs in front of his “toy shed”. Sometimes fishing, whether it was on ice, down at the river or in a boat. Puttering around with wood splitters, snow blowers or mowers. He was a man that I will always be proud to have known. My family and I will miss him dearly. Rest in eternal peace My brother till we meet again.
It has been three weeks since I learned of Brother Bill’s passing; it is still heartbreaking. We shared many waterfowl hunts to North and South Dakota and Manitoba and three fly-in fishing trips to northwest Ontario; the last being August ’24. We shared many a “war story,” our families, our dogs, our love of God and a myriad of other topics. I will miss you “Bill on the hill” and yes I know the drill but have a host of pictures and memories for one of the best men I’ve ever crossed paths with…
He will be missed by all. What a great guy.we worked together at Chrysler,and I really got to know him. I will miss talking to him on the phone. He is in good hands now because he was close to God. Bless Diane and the famil
Had the Honor of having Mr. Bill Arnald as a partner on the 4-day Vets Roll bus strip to Washington, He will be greatly missed at the Oxford Bingo Night as he loved calling out the numbers and adding his little commentaries to the game. RIP Brother Bill.
Bill was an amazing man and he lifted everyone up around him with his spirit. Our family looked forward to the adventurous Christmas cards every year. The heavens are a little brighter with him in it, but I am sure he will sprinkle a little mischief here and there. He will be missed. – The Wollschlager Family
Dear Diane and Family, Bill held a special place in my heart. He always took the time to ask me how I was doing and shared stories with me of my parents. He had a kind soul. I pray you all will find peace in the memories you shared and made together. Prayers.
Diane and Family; So sorry to read about Bill what a super great American and friend. He was a super guy and will be missed. God Bless.
Condolences to Diane and family. Bill was a good man and veteran always willing to lend a hand. I enjoyed our Bingo Calling days at the VFW!
No words can truly express my feelings! Loved him dearly and remember fondly of he being the only one who ever called my husband “Bernie”. He always had the sweetest and kindest way of greeting everyone. Love and prayers to the families.🙏🙏💕💕
I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Bill at the veterans service office and he left a lasting impression on me. Such a kind soul. Always willing to get involved and help others. The world was a better place with him in it. I will miss saying hello when we’d bump in to eachother. He truly will be missed.
God bless this man. I always felt protected at St Joseph’s Parish during Mass when Bill was there.
Sorry hear this he will be missed at the range R.I.P. MR. BILL
RIP Bill. Condolences to all. Got to know Bill a lot of years ago down in southern Wisconsin, mainly thru beloit rifle club. Later found out he relocated near the area I retired to
On behalf of the Badger Honor Flight Board and all our volunteers, we extend our deepest condolences to you all, the family of William Arnold. We are grateful for his service to our great country. What an honor it was for us to take him on his well-deserved trip of a lifetime. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
When I would see Bill I would always say hello Mr Bill and he would always smile, he was a very kind soul and will be missed. He always had kind words and good jokes. I will miss him at Bingo on I22 don’t mess with my tutu. My prayers go out to Diane and her family. May Bill RIP
Bill was my birding buddy. We compared backyard birds and I always learned so much from him…such a kind man…He will be greatly missed by all.
To the ones left behind know he will always be with you. He is only gone in body his spirit will always be here will miss him but he is in his home with God now. So sorry he’s gone enjoyed the time we spent together on Mondays and Wednesdays.
It was honor to know Bill. He will be greatly missed at the VFW. Our deepest condolences to Diane and family.
R.I.P. Brother.
What a wonderful man. Would do anything for anyone. My condolences to Diane and the family. He will be missed by many.
Dear Diane, Bill Jr. Cori, and Family,
I am sorry to hear of Bill passing away, and your Family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I did not know Bill, but in Reading his obituary, I read of his Service to OUR COUNTRY, and how he recieved THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL TWICE!!! I THANK GOD FOR ALL OUR VETERANS, FOR WITHOUT THEM, WE COULD NOT REMAIN FREE!!! May we all be eternally Grateful to all who have Served and also to Teach our Children, that Freedom is not Free!!! It was Paid for with a Great Price!!! Thank You to Bill’s Family, and Thank You Bill R.I.P.
Eternally Grateful,
Lennard A. Wilson
Diane i am very sorry to hear about Bill passing bill was like a brother to me to talk to and go fishing with was a brother and good friend rest in peace brother
Diane and family, very sorry to hear of his passing He will be missed, one of the good guys.
Diane and family…..We just learned of Bill’s passing and he will be missed by all who knew him, including us. I know all the groups he was involved with have lost a great help and he will never be able to be replaced. `His heart was full of love and he cared for all his friends and the family will miss him terribly. If there is something we can help with, please call us.
Bill you will be missed by so many. So sorry for your families loss. Monday night bingo won’t be the same with out ya bill!!RIP Bill