William Otto Tank

PARK FALLS, Wis. - William Otto Tank, age 78, passed away on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, at Flambeau Hospital in Park Falls.

He was born on April 3, 1939, in Butternut, the son of Otto and Margaret (Hoffman) Tank. He graduated from Butternut High School in 1958. After graduation, he worked in the logging industry until he served in the U.S. Army from 1962 until 1964. He was then employed as a general manager for E.J. Longyear Company until 1973.

Afterwards, Bill was then employed in the construction industry. On Dec. 27, 1969, he married Arlene Mertig in Glidden. In 1978, he decided to purchase his own logging and trucking business and developed William Tank and Son, Inc. He logged for several years with his brothers, his son and most recently his grandsons.

Bill built several trailers, including his own pup trailer, and built several jammers and other equipment. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, since many would call for advice on how to repair things. He was always there to lend a helping hand for anyone who asked for his assistance.

He was a member of the Butternut American Legion Post. Bill loved spending time with his family and was very proud of his grandchildren's accomplishments and loved to take them on his Canadian fishing trips and attend their sporting events.

He is survived by his wife, Arlene, of Glidden; two children: Kevin (Susan) Tank, of Glidden, and Julie (Kevin) McCullough, of Ironwood, Mich .; five grandchildren: Erik and Kalvin Tank, of Glidden, Danielle (Taylor) Wagner, of Rothschild, and Alyson and Kyle McCullough, of Ironwood; three step-grandchildren; four brothers: Edward Tank, of Butternut, Ronald (Sherry) Tank, of Butternut, Robert Tank, of Butternut and Otto (Shelley) Tank, of Park Falls; two sisters: Marlene Setterman, of Fifield, and Carol Billing, of Park Falls, and two sisters-in-law, Lois Bougard, of Renton, Wash., and Jeannie Mertig, of Butternut.

He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia Lobermeier, his brother, Richard Tank, his nephew, Dale Setterman, and brothers-in-law Lawrence Billing, Duwayne Lobermeier, Lawrence Setterman and David Mertig.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later date.

The Novitzke Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at novitzkefuneralhome.com.