William “Herr” Eric Storm, age 76, of Merrill, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, November 30, 2016. He was born on August 3, 1940 in the town or Corning to the late Harold and Erna (Baumann) Storm. On June 27, 1964 he married the love of his life, Charmaine Semerau, in Wausau, a union that would last over 52 years.
Bill grew up on his family’s farm in Lincoln County, town of Corning. He graduated from Merrill High School and in January of 1963 received his diploma from UW Stevens Point, majoring in German and Biology. He started teaching German at Merrill Senior High School, a position he proudly held for 36 years. He was also a Driver’s Education instructor and served as a wrestling coach and referee for many years. In 1977, Bill received the Merrill Teacher of the Year award and also received his Masters Degree in Education from UW Stevens Point. He enjoyed traveling and took ten, month-long trips to Germany with his students from 1974 to 1997. Some of his most memorable trips with Charmaine included hiking the Alps from Munich to Venice in 2000, hiking the Black Forest from Pforzheim to Basel in 2013, and hunting with his son, Eric, in Africa in 2015. Bill had a strong work ethic which brought out the best in his children. He was an exceptional role model who inspired many people. Bill was very close to his children and grandchildren and taught them valuable life skills. In his spare time, he was an avid gardener and pressed his own apple juice from his orchard. He was a skilled woodsman and made firewood for his outdoor furnace as well as the basement stove for those harsh Wisconsin winters. Bill built his family’s home in Pine River and sawed the paneling for the inside of his cottage with his sawmill. He was passionate about hunting, fishing, trapping and making maple syrup, wine and sausage. He was an actor with the lead role in Community Theater’s “Take Me Along”. Bill was a life member of the NRA, the Wisconsin Trappers Association and a board member of the Lincoln County Sportsman’s Club. He was also a member of the Good Times Gospel Trio, River Valley Harmonizers (Barbershoppers) and a choir member/soloist at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife: Charmaine Storm, Town of Pine River; three children: Heidi Ann Storm (Richard Hess), Hartland, WI, Liesl Marie Storm, Oshkosh, WI, and Eric William Storm, Manitowoc, WI; two grandchildren: Nathaniel “Nate” and William “Will” Hess; one sister: Gloria (Robert) Woller, Wausau; one brother: David (Waleen) Storm, Marshfield; 5 nieces and 1 nephew and many good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Erna Storm, stepfather, Ray Voigt and brother, Robert “Bobby” Storm.
Funeral Services for Bill will be held at 11 AM on Monday, December 5, 2016 at St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ. Rev. Kyle Carnes will officiate. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Sunday, December 4, 2016 and from 9 AM until the time of service on Monday, all at the church. Waid Funeral Home of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.