William Peter Cress of Onalaska, Wis., died July 16, 2013, from complications with Parkinson’s disease at his home, surrounded by family.

William Cress

Bill was born Sept. 29, 1945, in Mishawaka, Ind., to John and Ardis Cress.

Bill grew up in Rose Creek and Austin, Minn., graduating from Pacelli High School in 1963. He married Patricia Haidinyak in La Crosse, Wis., on Sept. 21, 1968. Bill graduated from Mankato State University and the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in finance and economics. He completed a PhD at North Texas State in 1980.

Bill taught accountancy at Vermillion Community College in Ely, Minn., Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He taught for 22 years at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and put in several years as department chair. Bill’s great passion was mentoring accounting students, and he greatly enjoyed keeping in touch with his former students and following their career paths. Apart from teaching, Bill loved playing handball and bridge.

Bill is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, Cecilia (Shannon) Riley of Nashville, Tenn., Virginia Cress (Boyd Lord) of La Crescent, Minn., and Michael Cress of Onalaska. He is also survived by two brothers, John Cress and Brian (Doris) Cress; a sister, Joan (Rex) Kohl and grandchildren, Morgan and Erin Riley and Jonah and Elijah Faas. Also surviving are numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Bill was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Margaret (Peggy) Cress and his parents, John and Ardis Cress.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the William P. Cress Fund of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Foundation or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A burial service for William will be held at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Rose Creek, Minn., on Sept. 15.