William O. Van Dongen

William (Bill) Orson Van Dongen passed away peacefully June 10th 2025 at Aurora Hospital in Oshkosh at the age of 81.

William was born October 29th 1943 to Fredrick Van Dongen and Edith McIntyre in Muskegon, Michigan. He graduated from Muskegon High School in 1961. He then enrolled in the University of Michigan where he met Carol Hall at a square dance. They were married in 1964.

He finished a Bachelor's of Science in Mathematics in 1965. Bill then completed the United States Air Force Officer Training Course and became a C-130 pilot. He flew all over the world and served in the Vietnam War. He served from 1966 to 1971.

After receiving an honorable discharge, he continued his education earning a Master's in Business Administration and a Master's in Computer Science from Michigan State University in 1975. He then worked at the Arthur Anderson accounting firm, TRES Computer Systems, and as an independent consultant. In 1977 Bill returned to the academic setting, this time as a teaching fellow at North Texas State University.

In 1980, the Van Dongens, by then a family of four, moved to Oshkosh, Wisconsin where both Bill and Carol found work as professors at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. In 1990 Bill continued his teaching career at St Norbert College until his retirement.

After retirement, Bill and his wife moved to Wautoma where Bill volunteered his expertise in finance and computing to various civic organizations including the Waushara Tourism Commission, the Waushara County Watershed Lakes Council, the Town of Dakota, and the White River Flowage Lake District.

Bill had many interests and passions throughout his life from baseball and science fiction early on to golf and old movies in his later years. He enjoyed working with numbers. He loved dogs. He loved his country. He was a patriot and a veteran. He was a devoted husband and father and was always there for his family.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Carol, his son Brad, his daughter Kristine and her husband Casey Gibney.

At Bill's request there will be no formal memorial service.