James Alois Wilz

James Alois Wilz “Jim” slipped from this world Sunday December 15th, 2019 at the age of 87 with family by his side. He was born December 29, 1931 in Appleton to the late Nap “Leopold” and Marie (Kuehnl) Wilz.

Family was originally planning a memorial service in the spring of 2020, but the world had other plans.

Jim grew up in Appleton along with his seven brothers and sisters, the third oldest of the family and a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran church in Appleton. He graduated from Appleton High School in 1950 and became a member of the National Guards. Jim also was part owner with his brother Robert of an auto body and service station as well as a teen bar. It was at that bar that he met his future wife Ellie, and on September 14, 1957 they were married.

After their marriage Jim continued to operate A & W Auto Body and towing in Appleton which eventually moved to Glendale Ave., and his brother Bob opened his own body shop. Jim and Ellie raised their four children just North of Appleton and in the summers they would go on trips across the U.S. for almost a month. He would close his shop with a sign on the door saying he was gone on vacation, and his customers would wait until he returned to have their auto work done.

Jim was a great example of hard work and ingenuity, and his family misses him dearly.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years Eleanore (Ellie), son Randy (Nancy), and daughters Jamie Brooks, Tammie Rosa, and Kandie Wilz; grandchildren, Nick (Christine) Wilz, their children Max and Maya, Bailey (Kyle) Hoffman, their children Brennan, Weston and Brogan Peterson. He is further survived by sisters Patricia (Carl) Schoettler, Victoria (Larry) Gorges, sister-in-law Joyce Wilz, brother-in-law Eugene (Claire) Frahm, as well as many relatives, friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents Nap and Marie, Brothers Robert (Dorothy), Leo, Thomas (Ann) and Russell as well as Sister Marie. Also by his in laws William and Louise (Schultz) Frahm, brothers and sister-in-law Earl (Madge) Schultz, Melvin (Marcella) Frahm, Elaine Springstroh and Nephews, Adam, Mark, Jeffrey Wilz and Mark Springstroh.

Memorials in Jim’s name are appreciated and may be made to the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Rochester, MN, Saving Paws Appleton WI, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memphis, Tn. 

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