William Paul

William Joseph Paul, age 51 of DeSoto, WI, formerly of Lawler, IA, died Thursday, March 19, 2020, in DeSoto. A burial with military honors will be held 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 12, 2020 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Lawler. Friends may greet the family following the service at the Starlight Ballroom in Lawler from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. William Joseph Paul, age 51, was born on February 5, 1969, the first child born to the union of Mary Speltz (Paul) and Dennis Paul. During his formative years growing up in Lawler, Iowa, Bill played Little League Baseball, enjoyed time with his many friends, and worked for local farmers, picking rock, baling hay, and helping with chores. Bill later worked at Cutsforth’s Pizza Kitchen, and Grove’s Pizza. It was during these formative years that Bill learned the value of hard work, determination, and the trials and tribulations of running a successful business; traits that would come to bear fruit later in his life, and values he passed on to his brother. In 1986, immediately following his junior year of high school, Bill enlisted in the United States Army, and completed basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri. Bill then graduated from Turkey Valley High School in 1987. During his high school days, Bill was involved in band, and enjoyed hanging out with his friends and classmates, creating lifelong friendships. After graduation, Bill worked briefly in the Lawler area, then decided to become an active duty soldier in the Army. This decision turned into a lifelong military career for Bill, during which time he was stationed in Washington, Louisiana, Texas, and Iowa. He also served a three-year assignment oversees in Babenhausen, Germany, where he was deployed to Bosnia in a UN peacekeeping mission. In 2002 upon returning to Iowa, Bill volunteered to become a recruiter for the U.S. Army. In 2008, Bill became the Army Recruiter of the Year, and was recognized and awarded as such by the Army’s highest ranking officer. In 2008 Bill retired from the U.S. Army at the rank of Sargent First Class (E-7). Faithfully serving his country for over 22 years. Bill had three children: Kelcey of Shawnee, Kansas, Marcel (Liz) of Burlington, Kentucky, and Bailey of Palo, Iowa. Following his Army retirement, Bill became the owner of Riverview Cabins in DeSoto, Wisconsin where his values of hard work and determination, as well as learning how to operate a successful business paid off. Bill successfully owned and operated Riverview Cabins from 2010 until the time of his death in 2020. The purchase of Riverview Cabins allowed Bill’s life to come full circle as he returned to the location he was first taught how to fish. Bill’s childhood memories and his love of fishing the Mississippi River were born and developed at Blackhawk Park in Wisconsin, only a few miles from Bill’s home and business in DeSoto. By owning and operating his cabin rental business, it gave Bill the opportunity to hang the “Gone Fishing” sign on his office door as often as possible. It also provided Bill a place to host his brother, mother, and father and take them to his favorite fishing spots, as often as they could get away, or succumbed to his repeated requests. In March, 2020 Bill died following a brief but intense illness; he is survived by his three children, Kelcey, Marcel (Liz), and Bailey, his father Joe Speltz, his brother Jim Paul, and sister in law Jo Paul, as well as his many beloved cousins, aunts, uncles, and lifelong friends. Bill was preceded in death by six grandparents; James and Marcella Schmitt, Evelyn and Joe Bodecker, and Marie and Red Speltz, his father Dennis Paul, and his beloved mother, Mary Speltz. Bill will be remembered for his lifelong service in the United States Army, his love of fishing and being on the water, being a deer and pheasant hunter, and playing intense games of Euchre, often being very lucky at it. Bill also, played in several softball leagues in his younger years and recently pool leagues in the area. Bill enjoyed, cutting and trimming trees, and wheeling and dealing with friends. Bill was always ready to share a story over a few drinks, recalling many great memories, family moments, or stories about catching fish. Bill was always willing to help family and friends in any way he could. Bill will be deeply missed as a brother, a son, a father, and a friend.