William Bush

MADISON - William John "Bill" Bush, age 87, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. Bill was born on Nov. 23, 1927, in Madison, the son of Henry Huson and Marjory (Donaldson) Bush. Bill married Lynne Schwarm Bush, from Wauwatosa, on Dec. 17, 1955, in Madison.

Bill passed away like he lived: as a man of integrity, grace, and dignity; a wonderful father, and loving husband. He grew up in Madison on Rowley Ave., and later on Farwell Drive in Maple Bluff, where he developed a lifelong love for sailing and the water. He attended Wisconsin High School in Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bill was co-owner of Hanks and Bush Insurance Company in Madison; past president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin and the Madison Ski Club; and member of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity, Rotary Club, Madison Gyro Club and Madison Club.

Bill served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. He also "paid his civic rent" by volunteering on several citizen boards for the Village of Shorewood Hills, driving the village ambulance, donating over 10 gallons of blood to the Red Cross, and volunteering with many other community organizations.

The greatest joy in Bill's life was spending time with his family. He was a dedicated father and husband, devoted to his family. Bill also enjoyed sailing, snow skiing, golfing at Odana, reading, traveling, going to the Wisconsin High School Friday lunches at the Avenue Bar, trips to the cabin on the Mecan River and spending time with family each summer in Door County, and watching M*A*S*H.

Bill is survived by his wife, Lynne; children, Susan (Gregory) Robers of Carlsbad Calif., Andrew (Anna) Bush of Boulder, Colo., Scott (Ann) Bush of Madison, and Julie (Timothy) Metcalfe of Madison; grandchildren, Kyle Robers, Conner Robers, Austin Bush, Hudson Bush, Isabella Bush, Stella Bush, Margo Bush, Nicole Zimbrick and Ella Zimbrick; Amanda Metcalfe, Allie Metcalfe, Trevor Pope and Julia Pope; brother, Henry Huson Bush Jr. of Madison; sister, Parnee Bush Harned of Blue Mounds; sister-in-law, Helen Langer Schwarm of Middleton; nieces, Lynne (James) Pope, Kathryn Schwarm, Jane (James) Wierzba, Nancy (William) Huber, and Becky (Guy) LaPierre; nephews, John (Laura) Bush, Luke (Sue) Harned, Matthew (Beth) Harned, Samuel Harned, and Adam (Leslie) Harned; many other loving family and friends; and Melvin the Dog. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, Jay Greisen Schwarm and General Donne DC Harned; sister-in-law, Joanne Kaiser Bush; and nephew, Henry Hu H. Bush III.

Please join the Bush family for a celebration of Bill's life in the GARDEN ROOM at ATTIC ANGELS COMMUNITY, 8301 Old Sauk Road, Middleton, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, from 12 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg. The family thanks the staff at Meriter Hospital and Agrace HospiceCare for their care and compassion during Bill's illness.