Wilfred Picchiottino

Wilfred Henry Picchiottino, age 97, passed away peacefully in his sleep and woke up to Heavenly Glory on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Bill Picchiottino was born November 20, 1922 in Almond, Wisconsin. He worked the family farm with his parents and six brothers and sisters. He graduated from the township’s one-room schoolhouse with an 8th grade diploma. During World War II he served his country as an officer in the Army Air Corps. He became a pilot, flight instructor, and navigator on B-29 bombers before being honorably discharged in 1946. Shortly after his service, he relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the city in which he lived out the rest of his life.

Wilfred was married to Elsbeth Werk on October 27, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church. Their union was blessed with six children. Bill was a talented automotive mechanic who provided for his family by operating his own service station throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He was a master machinist employed by P&H Harnischfeger for the last 20 years of his working career. He performed janitorial and maintenance jobs before and after retirement in the 1990s. Bill was also an inventor, machine fabricator, and a gifted woodworker.

Bill was a faithful member of Covenant Lutheran Church for over 60 years. He put to use his various skills and talents to help both the church and its members whenever he could. He was a caring father who worked hard to be able to pay the tuition for his six children to attend both a Lutheran grade school and high school.

Bill enjoyed bowling and flying model airplanes in his younger years. He liked playing card games and Yahtzee whenever the family got together. He also enjoyed the challenge of doing the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper. Bill was happiest when he was making or fixing something for a family member or a friend.

Wilfred is survived by his wife Elsbeth and five of his six children, Beth (George) Fejes, Jeff (Nancy), Mark, Kim (Sandy), and Pam Fields. Sadly, his eldest son, Glenn (Ruth) passed away unexpectedly in September of 2019. The family, however, rejoices that father and son are now reunited in their heavenly home with Jesus.

Wilfred was the beloved grandfather to a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren who reveled in his sweet and playful nature. He was also the esteemed uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was a humble, soft spoken, gentle spirit who lived an exemplary life of Christian values and faithfulness. The joy he brought to his family and friends with his kindness, his sense of humor, and his child-like spirit will be both sorely missed and fondly remembered.

Due to current state emergency orders regarding COVID-19, the immediate family will be attending a private visitation and funeral service for Wilfred.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Wilfred Picchiottino requests memorial contributions be made to Covenant Lutheran Church, 8121 West Hope Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53222.

The children of Wilfred would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and caregivers at Luther Manor. We truly appreciate the compassionate and kind care that you gave our father on a daily basis.