William F. Levinger (Bill), born June 5, 1924, in Yankton, SD; died December 5, 2016, in La Crosse, WI. He was married for 60 years to Charlotte Levinger. He is survived by three children and their wives (Mark and Mickey of Chicago, IL; Richard and Sue of La Crosse; and David and Lynn of Minneapolis, MN); by seven grandchildren and two of their wives (Alex and Hagar of Chicago; Ben and Alicia of Washington, DC; Sara, Galina, Jeremy, and Zack of the Twin Cities; and Bobby of La Crosse); and four great-grandchildren (Gabriella of Madison, WI; Corinne and Julian of Chicago; and Desmond of Washington, DC). He will be deeply missed by all his family.

Levinger served in the U.S. Army’s Infantry in World War II, seeing action in France, Belgium, and Germany. He received two purple hearts for his injuries. He met his wife at a USO dance, and they married in 1946. For his entire working adult life, Bill owned and managed women’s clothing stores by the names of Fantles and Fifth Avenue Fashions, in South Dakota, Iowa, and La Crosse. Outside of work, his main activity was golf, a sport he enjoyed for 75 years.

Bill and Charlotte were active square dancers, locally in the Happy Twirlers, plus attending numerous national conventions and other out-of-town dances. They also enjoyed bridge and bowling.   They travelled frequently, both in the US and in other countries. He enjoyed playing games and hiking with his children and grandchildren.

Levinger also loved to hunt Morel mushrooms. As with many such hunters, he kept his prime spots confidential. He was also active in civic organizations in La Crosse. He and his family were active in Congregation Sons of Abraham.

Levinger had an easy-going, youthful personality. He tended to leave worrying to others and had the rare gift of living in the moment. He had a good sense of humor and often told funny stories about himself. Bill was a practical, down-to-earth person. Most of all, he was devoted and loving to his family.

Bill spent the last few years at Bethany St. Joseph nursing home. Bill’s family expresses its gratitude for the fine care he received there. The Celebration of Life service will be on January 7, 2017, at 1:00 p.m., in the Bethany St. Joseph chapel, 2500 Shelby Road, La Crosse. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer’s Association.