William K. “Bill” Radtke, 81, of Shawano passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026, at his home. Bill was born Jan. 18, 1945, in Shawano to the late Carl and Rose (Eastman) Radtke.
He graduated from Sacred Heart Catholic grade school and Shawano High School in 1963. Bill then attended UW-Oshkosh, majoring in mechanical engineering. He returned to Shawano where he operated Radtke Excavating Inc. until 1982, when he joined the family electrical business, serving as it’s owner/operator until his retirement in 2013.
During those years, Bill was always active in Shawano community life, serving on the Shawano City Council, Shawano County Board, the chamber of commerce, as a sheriff’s deputy and volunteer fireman.
With his first wife Ann, he raised his four children. In his retirement, he met his second wife, Pat and expanded his family to include new children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Having a full house for family gatherings was one of Bill’s greatest joys. He had a wonderful sense of adventure – both for himself and those around him. He always was ready to help make every project and plan bigger and better however he could. Bill loved to fly and volunteered many hours as a pilot for medical transport, a highlight of which included being one of the few planes in the sky after 9/11 to bring personnel to NYC.
Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia Duffield; children, Robert (Michelle Martin) Radtke, Jody (Victoria Challies) Radtke, Mary (Steve Sturm) Radtke and Steve Radtke; stepchildren, Mary (Rich) Kramer, Gail (Matthew Linder) Kell, Timothy (Kristen) Kell and Paul Kell; 14 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; former wife, Ann Radtke; and siblings, Kenneth (Linda) Radtke, Kathryn (Dick) Zaddack, Thomas Radtke, Donald (Diane) Radtke, Ann Drexler, Peter Radtke and Carolyn (Dean) Swanson. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bill is preceded in death by his brother in infancy, Lawrence Radtke; and parents, Carl and Rose Radtke.
A celebration of Bill’s life will be held Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at the Crescent Ballroom in the upstairs of Stubborn Brothers Brewery from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
