William M Robichaud

William (Bill) Mead Robichaud of Wausau, WI, age 90, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2023, from a malignant brain tumor.  He was born on June 14,1933, in Oconto Falls, WI, and grew up in Florence, WI, the youngest of three children.  He is survived by his loving wife, Lynda Robichaud, his daughters Nicki (Doug) Patterson, Renee (Frank) Stains, Shelley (Dan) Morales, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his sisters, Barbara (Lee) Miller and MaryAnn (Frank) Manci, his brothers-in-law, and grandson, Daniel Stains.

Bill graduated from Florence High School in 1951, where he was on the varsity football, basketball, and baseball teams as a freshman.  He received his B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry from UW Madison. After a short stint as First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, he got a job with the National Livestock and Meat Board, then Poultry Board, traveling the country educating people on how to cut and prepare meat on television, in classroom lectures, and at trade shows. While working on the road in Chicago, he met a beautiful airline stewardess, Lynda Sue Nash, and eventually married her in 1965. They lived in Green Bay for two years before moving to Wausau. Bill and his friend, Bill Sneider, embarked on a business venture by starting the first Stop-n-Go store; Stop-n-Go stores became the first convenience stores to offer self-serve gasoline in Wisconsin. After selling the store chain, he became a stockbroker with Piper, Jaffray, and Hopwood and remained there until he retired.

Bill was very active and loved golfing, hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, curling, racquetball, and playing cards. He also enjoyed a good ‘ole Wisconsin brandy old-fashioned. He was generous and liked helping people in numerous ways, including chopping and hauling wood, gifting his homemade banana bread, or assisting financially. His faith in Jesus was important to him, and he was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and then Highland Community Church.

He was a proud father and grandpa and taught many the importance of family. He was influential in the Wausau community and touched many lives in the 55 years he lived there. His gregarious laughter, hearty hugs, and skilled story telling will be greatly missed.

Bill’s family is forever grateful for the kind and compassionate staff at Wausau Aspirus Hospice House, who brought him dignity, humor, and quality care during his final months.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Highland Community Church, 1005 N. 28^th Ave., Wausau, on Saturday, November 18 at 12 PM.  Visitation will begin at 11 AM, with a luncheon to follow the service.

Donations are preferred in lieu of flowers and may be given in his memory to:

Forest Springs Ministries https://forestsprings.us/donate/details 

Our Daily Bread https://secure.ourdailybread.org/planned-giving/#memory-giving