Service Details
His funeral service, with full military and fire-fighters honors, will be held in the funeral home on Sunday, November 13th, at 3:00 p.m., with Chaplain Gary Miller officiating. Visitation will be in the funeral home from 12 O’clock Noon until the time of the service.
Memorial Suggestions
The family has suggested memorials to the Wisconsin Burn Camp, 321 E. Main St. Suite 200 Madison, WI 53703, the South Shore Fire Department, 3900 Old Green Bay Rd. Mt. Pleasant, WI 53406, the Racine Fire Bells, P.O. Box 081042 Racine, WI 53408, or the Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, 5775 Post Rd. #1912 East Greenwich, RI 02812.
Chief (Retired) William R. Bouma, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away at the Aurora Medical Center-Mt. Pleasant on Sunday, November 6, 2022. He was born in Waukegan, IL on December 29, 1947, the son of the late William and Janet (nee: Lord) Bouma.
Bill started college at Western Illinois University and then joined the U.S. Navy serving during the Vietnam War from 1969 until 1972. He returned to college and graduated. From that point he served his country and community his entire life. After college, Bill taught in the Gurnee School District from 1975-1978. He then stared his career with the Waukegan Fire Department on 10/2/1978 as a firefighter and paramedic, rising to the rank of Captain retiring on 10/2/1999. That same day he started in his new position as Fire Chief on the Mr. Pleasant Fire Department. He was the last Chief of the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department and the first chief of the South Shore Fire Department, retiring on October 4, 2012.
In April of 1977, he was united in marriage to Susan Lee Jackson. Bill was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waukegan, the Mount Pleasant Kiwanis Club, founding member of the Racine Water and Rescue Response Team, past President of the Racine County Fire Chiefs Association, and introduced the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division #102 to Racine County. Bill was also a huge supporter of Wisconsin Area Burn Camp.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Susan, their two sons, Michael Hansen of West Allis, and Kenneth Bouma of Indianapolis, IN. Grandchildren Autumn Hansen, Bailey Hansen and Carley Hansen; their mothers Cristy Hansen and Jessica Hansen. Sister, Joann (Jack) Dubs, of Beach Park, IL; Brother Jack Bouma of Ingelside, IL; and Sister-In-Law, Phyllis Bouma of Gurnee, IL. He is also survived by his nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and fellow firefighters. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Dick Bouma.
Bill was kind, respected, admired and loved by family, friends and all who were lucky enough to know him including his fur baby, Sparky. He will be greatly missed, and our world will never be the same without him.
Raymond C. Rorek says
We the Raymond C. Rorek family would like to offer our condolences to His family on his. Passing. I work under him on the fire dept and would see him at our retirement breakfast every month. We will not be able to make this service as we have some health issues and I can’t drive at this time. May he rest in peace.
Jim Blanton says
My Condolences are extended to all members of the Bouma family.
The family moved from Waukegan to Gurnee in the late 1950’s and built a new house on South Delany Road , a 1 lane gravel road just south of Washington Street, a 2 lane gravel road.
While the family was living on South Delany, I lived only a block away from the Bouma’s through the woods and was treated like a member of the family.
The boys and I spent a lot of time together when we were kids playing baseball, football as well as lots of time in the woods and then Jack , Dick & I graduated to anything that had an engine on it .
The family ended up moving to the access road to Washington & Route 41 around the time when Washington Street was built as an overpass rather than a stop sign at Route 41.
After they moved 1/2 mile away It was only a short bicycle, motorcycle or car ride to their new house.
Bill had just joined the Navy when I returned from Vietnam in 1968 and we kind of lost contact after that.
I did contact Bill once I heard he was ill and we also talked about taking a Motorcycle ride together and then decided he was not felling up to doing it.
Those are fond memories for me of Bill, a first class person in a first class family and he will be missed.
Jim Blanton
Jan and Len Stern (Jacob Court) says
To Bills family we are so very sorry for your loss. We will will truly miss seeing Bill and Sparky walking past an always stopping to chat. Such a pleasant man who will be so very missed. Rest In Peace !
Petra Elsmann-Oldekamp says
My heartfelt condolences to all members of the family.
As I said goodbye to Bill on October 24, 2022, I knew it would be a goodbye forever. I was lucky enough to have a few wonderful days with him and Sue before he died. He always introduced me as his German cousin on our trips, and indeed I felt a strong family connection to him. He was a very kind and generous person and I am very grateful that I was able to meet him.
“The most precious legacy of a person is the trace that his love has left in our hearts.”
I will miss you Bill.
Petra
Cathy middleton says
I am glad that i got to you know you chief you you be missed
Cammi & Cass Sowa says
Bill was truly a great neighbor. Always happy and willing to stop and say hi and ask how “we” are doing.
Bill you will be missed by many. Gone too soon!
Prayers to Bills family.
Cammi Cass Sowa
Jacob Court
Richard "BO" Bosanko says
On behalf of the Kenosha Fire Department FAMILY, both ACTIVE and RETIRED members, our sincere sympathy to the Bouma family on your loss of Chief Bouma. We share in your sorrow. We wish you many fond memories of him and the good times you all shared together as a family. His commitment to the Fire Service, his firefighters, the Burn Camp, and the communities he helped protect are all part of his legacy. God Bless Our Fallen Brother.
Richard “Bo” Bosanko; Battalion Chief-Retired; Kenosha Fire Department
Paulbarnicle and family would like to pay our respects to the family I knew Bill from Western Illinois University and the vets club he was a dear friend and definitely will be miissed Paul J Barnicle and Julia L Barnicle of jngleside Il. says
Paulbarnicle and family would like to pay our respects to the family I knew Bill from Western Illinois University and the vets club he was a dear friend and definitely will be missed
The Herman Family says
We were all truly lucky when Bill and Sue chose the last lot on Jacob Court to build their home. We will miss the chats with him on his way walking his pup or the many bike rides he took. I envied his energy. Throughout the years, our kids looked forward to his delivery of Sue’s delicious Christmas cookies! It was comforting to have The Fire Chief in our neighborhood. Rest easy our friend. You will be missed.
Mary Ventura Flood says
oh, Bill, how you will be missed by those who loved you. You will always be in our hearts!
Wayne M De Loncker Jr says
Captain Bill Bouma, was my first of many Captains at the Waukegan FD. I will always remember him for his kind and tolerant manor. He always put others felling first and respected you as a person, no matter what your rank.
As he has gone to a better place I’m sure he will still stand out.
roger r dooley says
To the Boma family my sincerest sympathy & I am sure I speak for all Veterans who knew Bill at Western Illinois University. he was a great guy. I have shared his passing with the WIU Veterans club (XGI) whose emails I have. The PEACHIES will raise a plunger in his memory!
yours truly,
roger r dooley