William "Willie" Cohrs

William Herbert Cohrs passed peacefully to his heavenly home on October 10, 2024. He was born on January 2, 1939 in Merrill to Herbert and Irene (Boettcher) Cohrs. He attended St. John Lutheran School and graduated from Merrill High. William married Carolyn (Barney) on October 1, 1966. They recently celebrated 58 years of marriage. 

He joined the Army National Guard and was active for ten years spending time in Washington state. He helped organize annual reunions for years for the Guard and was very proud of his service. He took part in the Honor Flight in 2022. 

Willie and Carolyn ran the family farm which has been in the family for more than 140 years, raising dairy and beef cattle, horses, sheep, chickens, emus and peacocks. As a farmer, he could build, remodel, and repair almost anything.

He was a skilled electrician, spending more than 30 years at Wausau Papers where he made many lifelong friends.

He especially enjoyed deer hunting, boating, playing Sheepshead and cribbage, biking, walking, and fishing in the family pond. His passion was spending as much time as possible with his family and friends – especially his grandchildren. 

Together Willie and Carrie enjoyed traveling – having visited all 50 states, the ten Canadian provinces, and five continents.

He was a charter member and past-President of the Friends of Council Grounds State Park where he was responsible for completing many projects including the beach shelter.

He was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. 

Willie is survived by his wife, Carolyn, two sons, Keith (Shelley) Cohrs, and Kevin (Tammy) Cohrs, five grandchildren, Evan, Hays (formerly Hanna), Ian, Ava, and Lauren Cohrs, sisters, Doris Wanless, Helen (Harry) Wallace, and Margie (Paul) Zimmerman, sister-in-law, Nancy Cohrs and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Philipp, brothers-in-law Leonard Wanless and Donald Sturm, and nephew Michael Sturm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Bell Tower Chapel on Friday, October 18, 2024 at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 18, 2024 from 9:30 am until the time of service in the Assissi Hall at Bell Tower Residence. Fr. Maria Vallabhaneni will officiate. Inurnment will take place immediately after mass at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Vincent De Paul and/or the Food Pantry in Merrill in loving memory of Willie. 

The family would like to thank the staff at Bell Tower Residence and Interim Health Care for their loving care while he was with them. We will miss Willie greatly and are grateful for the many memories he gave us.

Waid Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.waidfuneral.com