William W. ‘Bill’ Kollath, 82, of the Village of Maine, Marathon County, passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital. Bill was born October 16, 1937, to John and Dorothea (Radtke) Kollath in the Town of Maine, Marathon County. Bill lived on the family farm all his life. He attended Red Granite School for eight years and then went to the Wausau Vocational School. Bill attended the vocational school until he was sixteen. He then stayed home to help on the farm when his father became ill. Bill started his first part-time job working for Gerrit ‘Chub’ VanDerGeest’s livestock company for twelve years. Bill thought Chub was the best boss he ever had because he taught him a lot in life. In 1976, Bill married Dawn ‘Pat’ Sabatke; the cute little farm girl he met hauling cattle. Together, Bill and Pat farmed and worked full-time jobs. In 1979, Bill started working for the Town of Maine with the road maintenance crew as a heavy equipment operator. After retiring from the Town of Maine, Bill took a job working for John Ohrmundt Construction. John was also a very close friend of the family. He worked for John for many years and made many friends through the company. Bill was always willing to help John out and also the Town of Maine.
Survivors include his wife, Dawn ‘Pat’ Kollath of Merrill; sisters-in-law, Dona Kollath of Abbotsford, Claudette (Dan) Johnson of Merrill, Sue Wiederhoft of Merrill, and Arlene (Alan) Pfalz of Merrill; brothers-in-law, John (Marlene) Sabatke of Wausau, Dale (Sarah) Sabatke of Merrill, and Mark (Becky) Sabatke of Merrill; and several nieces and nephews including, Joey Wiederhoft. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothea Kollath; sister, Elaine Kollath; and brother, Gerald Kollath.
A private graveside service will be held. Bill’s final resting place will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Village of Maine. This was land that he donated to the Maple Grove Cemetery Association; land that he loved and enjoyed with Pat and their German Shepherd, Bandit. Taylor-Stine Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com