William Hembel

Madison - William Henry Hembel ("Bill"), age 74, passed away at Agrace Hospice on Tuesday, April 2, 2013, succumbing to complications of frontotemporal dementia.

Bill was a sensitive, intelligent and gifted man who faced the obstacles thrown in his path with courage, grace and good humor.

From his parents he inherited a deep love of nature and the outdoors. There were many family camping adventures with his children both tenting and via trailer to western venues and to Door County. He especially loved Peninsula State Park and spent 3-4 weeks there every year if possible. Biking, birding and nature photography were passions he joyfully shared with his wife. Flowers, especially the wild flowers of spring, (trillium, lady slippers and Jack-in-the pulpit) were particular favorites of his.

English literature was his major in college. He loved poetry and the way certain phrases would hit his ear. Bill relished the challenge of completing (in ink!) the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle and treasured his unabridged (and very heavy) Oxford English Dictionary.

Not only was he gifted verbally, he also had a beautiful tenor voice and sang with both the Bethel Senior choir and the Madison Symphony Chorus. He endeared himself to his wife by serenading her when they were out for a drive.

He was a cheerleader for his family, telling them as often as he could how much he loved and appreciated them. In spite of his struggle with dementia , he lifted the spirits of everyone he knew. He will be remembered for his joyful, bellowing laughter, wide and welcoming smiles, and his ability to appreciate the person right in front of him and the beauty all around. Bill will be deeply missed by friends and family alike.

Bill is survived by his children; Hali (Jeff) Smalley, Chad (Lynn) Hembel, his brother; Bob (Lucy) Hembel, grandchildren; Dan, Matthew and Benjamin; his wife of 15 years, Marcy Bradley, her children; Hilary (David) Peng, Lee (Laura) Christensen; grandsons Theron and Brannic, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Alma and Daniel and sister Nancy.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg for their tender care of Bill in his last week of life. We are also grateful to the dedicated caregivers at Clare Bridge Memory Care and Wynwood Assisted Living where he resided these past few years.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Agrace Hospice, or the Madison Audubon Society.
A memorial service celebrating Bill's life will be held Friday, April 12, 2013, at 4 p.m. at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, WI 53705.