William Ray Eckerman

William Ray Eckerman, age 67, of Cameron, WI passed away February 10th, 2025, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul Minnesota. Bill was born to Leslie (Sonny) and Marlys ( Mork, Eckerman, TenEyck) in Hennepin County Minnesota on January 12th, 1958.  Bill grew up on a 90-acre farm in Hawkins Wisconsin with his mother, stepfather & many siblings. Bill helped on the farm tending to many kinds of animals. It was here on the farm and at a young age that Bill took an interest in "tinkering." He took apart and put back together everything he could get his hands on; cars, trucks, tractors, small engines, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, anything with a motor, you name it. Over the years, he got more than one of the old vehicles on the farm running & he would tote his siblings around the property, taking them on adventures!  He spent his summers fishing & picking berries. When the family had their share, Bill and his siblings were allowed to pick extra berries to sell on the roadside to make extra money so they could attend the local fair.  Bill became a jack of many trades, but in his working years, he spent a majority of his time as a pipe fitter with American Steel. He also worked in the refinery and as a mechanic. Bill was always buying junkers, fixing them up and selling them for a little more money.  Bill always had a boat. He spent a lot of time on the water with his sister, Sandra, and her husband, nieces & nephews, and his own wife and kids.  One of the best things about Bill was his dedication to helping others.  Bill spent his entire life volunteering and working at local food pantries and soup kitchens from Rice Lake, WI to Minneapolis, MN. Bill touched many lives this way.  It was very important to him.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents: Leslie Eckerman, Wayne and Marlys TenEyck, sisters: Arlene Bush, Karen Aurentz, Marie TenEyck & Sherry Vail. He is survived by sisters: Sandra Schmidt, Mary Kay Remer & Sheila Petit, brothers: John Leonard, Aaron Leonard, Curtis TenEyck & Mark TenEyck, children: Mark Eckerman, Willie Eckerman & family, Kacey Eckerman, Jennifer Eckerman Smith, Rebecca Eckerman & Logan Fallin- Eckerman, as well as many grandchildren.

Bill will be laid to rest at the St. Croix Falls City Cemetery in St. Croix Falls WI on Saturday, April 5th, at noon with a celebration of life following from 1-4 p.m. at the Five Flags Golf Course in Balsam Lake WI. Everyone is welcome to attend.  Arrangements are with Rausch-Lundeen Funeral Homes, Cameron & Dallas. 

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