Metz, William Addison
Age 81 of Delano, MN passed away peacefully after a long illness on April 30, 2011 surrounded by his family. Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Caroline Metz his children and their families, Dan, John (Linda), Bill (Susan Crow), Tony (Respa), Bob (Maria), Mary Kay (Steve Wernimont), Margaret (Matt Yonan), Paul (Sara), Jim, Monica (Dan) Ward, Melinda (Hans) Miller, 24 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Muriel Pollock as well as many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Edna, father Addison, brothers John and James and sister, Shirley Sinkel.
Bill was, first and foremost, a family man giving up a college scholarship to marry his high school sweetheart Caroline Bauman and start a family. His family grew quickly and his dedication to providing for all their needs was his driving motivation. Determined not to have his family repeat his hardscrabble childhood that spanned the great depression and the great war, he overcame many challenges by taking calculated risks and by simply working hard and with resolve. Starting out as an office clerk with a lumber brokerage firm, he quickly moved into a sales role that eventually led to the formation of his own company. He also spent many years as a real estate agent in Delano and the surrounding area.
He was an active member of church and community. He served as chair of St. Peter’s school board and was active in Catholic Aid and was proud of his role in starting the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus and having twice served as Grand Knight. He was a Eucharistic minister and sang in the church choir. Bill also spent many hours volunteering with the Boy Scouts when his sons were young.
In addition to his family Bill loved; babies, St. Peter‘s, the outdoors, western art, books, crossword puzzles, lists, starting projects, (not so much on the finishing them) hats, fishing, chicken and cannonballs on the grill, Christmas and Halloween, singing lullaby’s, straight fences, finding a bargain, auctions, winters in Texas, making the sale, black horses and blue sky, mountains and prairie, telling stories, and making connections.
Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday May 4, 2011 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Delano, MN. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the St. Peters Church “All are Welcome” campaign.