William "Bill" Carl Browne

With family by his side, William Carl Browne, “Bill” age 83, passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Ascension All Saints Hospital. He was born in Miami, AZ. September 14, 1940, son of the late Charles and Alice (Nee: Soransen) Browne. His family returned back to Racine when he was two, which became his lifelong home.

Bill was a graduate of William Horlick High School, “Class of 1959”. On April 8, 1961, Bill was united in marriage to the love of his life Joan M. Petersen who preceded him in death on May 10, 2012. Bill was employed at Rainfair for almost 20 years and then became a Union Representative for the ILGWU for factories in Wisconsin and Iowa. After years of constant traveling, he switched careers to be home more and became an assistant manager at Open Pantry and then worked at Action Air until his retirement.

After the death of his father when Bill was 8, he spent every summer with his brother Murl at YMCA Camp Anokijig until he graduated. Bill was involved with YMCA Indian Guides and Indian Princesses with his children. Bill was a member of United Commercial Travelers serving as Senior Counselor and State Supreme Counselor among other roles. He was a huge Packers fan and loved collecting everything Packers. Bill and Joan loved to travel and took their family on many trips exploring America. There were also many summer trips in their later years “Up North” with family.

Bill was loved dearly and will be sadly missed by his children, David Browne, Teresa (Joseph) Renguette, Richard (Zenaida) Browne; grandchildren, Zack Browne, Michael (Stephanie) Renguette, Patrick Renguette, Daniel (Sarah) Renguette, Elizabeth Renguette (Fiancé, Nick Nevins), Jennifer Browne, Kattie (Harrison) Nelson; great grandchildren, Isabelle and Finn, Jack, Luke and Aurora; sisters-in-law, Joan R. Browne and Joan Hedden, nieces, nephews other relatives and dear friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Shelly, infant great granddaughter, Karis, brothers, Charles Jr. and Murl Browne, in-laws, Jerry (Gloria) Petersen and Steve Petersen.

The family would like to thank Lesa for her loving care of Bill in his final years. Lesa was a wonderful caregiver that became family.

Funeral Services celebrating Bill’s life will be held at 11:00 am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 4340 6 Mile Rd. Saturday, February 17, 2024, with Rev. Chris Lockie officiating. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. Relatives and friends are welcome to meet with the family for Visitation, Saturday, 10:00 am until time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations have been suggested to the family as a memorial will be established in Bill’s name.