Obituary
William “Bill” G. Berryman
William “Bill” G. Berryman, 82 of Onalaska, WI passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2026, with family at his side.
He was born on July 2, 1943, in St. Louis, MO to William D. Berryman and Mary Hilda Berryman.
Bill graduated from Southwest High School in St. Louis, MO in 1961. After high school he joined the U.S. Navy serving from 1961 – 1965. He was a radioman on the USS Yorktown, CV10, Aircraft Carrier. Bill vowed after that experience he would someday learn to fly. He accomplished that in 1990 by obtaining his private pilot license. A few of his other hobbies included motocross, scuba diving and he was an avid classic/muscle car enthusiast.
Bill moved to La Crosse, WI in 1970 to join Gateway Foods as their Director of Information Technology. Bill worked at Gateway for 18 years. His career as CIO took him to many different states and he spent the last 20+years in the San Diego, CA area.
Bill and Charleen, his wife of 47 years, came “Back Home” to La Crosse in 2021.
He is survived by his wife, Charleen (Brague); his son, William P. Berryman and granddaughter Evelyn Berryman; daughters, Shelly Berryman and Heather Berryman-Sanchez (Tony), and granddaughter McKayla Sanchez and grandson Samuel Sanchez.
There was no role Bill cherished more than that of being a “Proud Grandpa”.
He is also survived by two sisters, Mary McTaggart and Martha Stenger, brother-in-law Rick (Barbara) Brague and sister-in-law Kathy (Mike) Nelesen, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sisters; Bernadette Fleher and Ruth Martin, brothers-in-law; Douglas Eckert and Ralph Stenger, and nephew; Patrick McTaggart. Father-in-law and mother-in-law; Nathaniel and Kathleen Brague, brother-in-law and sister-in-law; Jerry and Joanne Brague and sister-in-law; Mary J. Brague.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday June 6, 2026, at the Onalaska American Legion Post 336 from 4 pm until 8 pm. There will be an Honor Guard Ceremony at 4:30 pm followed by dinner from 5 pm – 8 pm.
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
I sure am going to miss Bill, his sense of humor, the stories we would tell about Gateway Foods. I’m so glad I introduced Charleen, my dear friend and Bill. Marriage made in heaven. Bill is now at piece. Love you Charleen..❤️
Bill, there were very few highlights to living up Miami,but getting to know you and Char was truly one of them. From the day Diane met you guys at the P-Source reception at the Biltmore in Coral Gables the laughs began and continued for all the years since then. I will always remember our phone calls and the stories about your motor cross adventures with Billy and the grandkids swimming and water polo accomplishments. I ‘ll also miss answering your calls and hearing “Hey A2Z”!
Char,Heather and Billy, Diane and I send our condolences and sincere sympathies. We will all miss him,however we should all take comfort knowing that he’s in a better place and that his pain and suffering are over. I can envision him in heaven surrounded by his family members who preceded him in death with them having them in stitches as he reintroduces them to his never before humor. May God bless him and allow him to rest in peace. char please take care of yourself and cherish the memories you have with him. May God also bless you Heather and Billy and his cherished grandchildren that he was so proud of You will always be in my prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️