William Joseph Backes

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Madison, WI - William Joseph Backes, age 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Agrace Hospice Center. He was born in New London, Wisconsin on June 12, 1948, the son of Morgan and Jane Backes.

Bill received his BS in Nuclear Engineering from University of Wisconsin – Madison, and his associate’s degree in respiratory therapy from MATC. He worked in respiratory therapy at the UW Hospital for 42 years, most of that as the Equipment Manager for the department. He met his wife, Diane Bisanz in the Trauma and Life ICU while working at the UW Hospital. They recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. Bill was a loving, loyal, faithful, dedicated, and generous husband and father of three. His family was a priority, as he always attended his children’s sporting events and enjoyed numerous family trips. 

Bill was active in many organizations: treasurer of 350 Wisconsin Action, a board member of the Wisconsin Alliance for Retired Americans, a board member of the Wisconsin Coalition of Annuitants, and a delegate for the AFSCME Local 1942 at South Central Federation of Labor.

Bill is survived by his loving family: his wife, Diane; children Christopher (Kari) Backes & children Keenan and Kelvin, Eric (Stephanie) Backes (& baby girl Backes due in January), and Brittany (Daniel) Pratt. He is also survived by many siblings: Susan (Michael) Jarvela, Jeanne Backes, John (Sharon) Backes, Joseph (Susan Deming) Backes, Margaret (Edward) Szoke, and Elizabeth Backes (Thomas Prough) and Robert (Cecily) Backes as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and other cherished family members and friends. He was proceeded in death by his grandparents, parents Morgan and Jane Backes, infant sister Mary Agnes, and sister-in-law Jean Backes.

We wish to thank Dr. Vincent Ma, UW Carbone Cancer Center and Agrace Hospice & Palliative Care in Fitchburg. We are grateful to all the compassionate nurses who provided wonderful care to Bill in his final days. We also want to thank everyone who has been praying for our family during this time.

The funeral will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 13th at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison. The visitation will be starting at 9 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to 350 Wisconsin https://350wisconsinaction.org  Catholic Charities https://catholiccharitiesofmadison.org  and UW-Madison Carbone Cancer Center https://cancer.wisc.edu .

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road, Madison

(608) 238-3434