Rt. Rev. William Walter Wiedrich's Obituary
The Rt. Rev. William Walter Wiedrich passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at the age of 83. Bishop Wiedrich was born in Stambaugh, MI on August 18 or 19, 1931. He was born so prematurely that his survival was assumed to be unlikely and no birth certificate was issued. The actual birthdate could only be estimated. His strong-willed grandmother took him home and, with a bit of Fels-Naptha soap, an eye dropper, a shoebox and the warming oven of a wood-burning stove, nursed him to health.He not only survived, but excelled at Crystal Falls (MI) High School, earning 24 athletic letters and graduating as valedictorian in 1949. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1953 from the University of Michigan and his Masters of Divinity from Bexley Hall in 1956. He served as an Episcopal minister at parishes in Newberry, Houghton, and Sault Ste. Marie, MI, as well as Madison, WI. While in Madison, he founded the Grace Church Shelter, which flourished and eventually became the Porchlight Foundation Inc., serving the homeless and disadvantaged of Dane County, WI. During these years he helped countless people and earned a reputation as a masterful preacher and storyteller.In 1990, he was elected Suffragan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, primarily focusing on the successful development of Diocesan missions. He retired in 1997 and subsequently endured a lengthy illness that ultimately led to his passing. He is survived by his wife Theresa (Eccel) of Grand Haven, MI; sons, William Wiedrich of Tampa, FL, and Thomas (Christine) Wiedrich of Wilmette, IL; and his beloved grandchildren, Jillian and Bradley Wiedrich. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Grand Haven with The Very Rev. Jared Cramer officiating. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Porchlight Foundation, www.porchlightinc.org, 306 N. Brooks St., Madison, WI 53715 (608)257-2534. Share memories with the family at their online guest book at www.vbkfuneralhome.com. The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Grand Haven.
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