Arnold W. ‘Butch’ Wyland, Jr., 81, of Merrill, passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Dimensions Living in Wausau.
Arnold was born May 13, 1944, in Merrill, son of Arnold and Lucy (Jahnke) Wyland. He graduated from Merrill High School in 1962. Arnie married Carol Vaughn on December 2, 1972, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Irma. She survives. For over 50 years, Arnie owned and operated Wyland Excavating. He enjoyed working with the heavy equipment. In the winter months, he logged the woods and cut pulpwood.
Arnie enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was great at woodworking and building things. Several years ago, he built his family a cabin in Eagle River. In younger years, Arnie enjoyed farming. A true passion of his was working with and riding horses.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Wyland of Merrill; daughter, Kristy (Tony) Holinka of La Crosse; grandson, Henry Holinka of La Crosse; sister, Sandra (Fran) Doering of Payson, AZ; brother, Allan (Doris) Wyland of Montana; and many nieces and nephews. Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold Sr. and Lucy Wyland; and siblings, Loretta ‘Pudgie’ (Ronald) Hulke, Delores ‘Toppy’ (John ‘Jack’) Smith, Glorian (Rusty) Sukow, Verdaine (Ken) Mattson, Patty (Scott) Stevenson, Emily (Dave) Streich, and Pearl Waldburger.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Irma. Rev. David Sutton will officiate. Burial will take place in Woodlawn Cemetery, Town of Rock Falls, Lincoln County. The visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 301 Eagle Dr., Merrill, and after 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the church, leading up to the service.
The Wyland Family would like to thank the staff at Dimensions Living in Wausau and Interim Hospice and for the wonderful care Arnie received.
Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation Services of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com
