William "Bill" Elmer Rix

William "Bill" Elmer Rix, 95, of Egg Harbor, WI, passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Waterfall Health in Algoma, WI.

Bill was born on January 11, 1930, to William N. Rix and Irene (Wroblewski-Washington-Rudak). He grew up on the north side of Chicago, IL.

A 1948 graduate of Austin High School, Bill participated in track and field. While there, he met Geraldine "Jerri" E. Ellingsen, who became his wife on September 15, 1951. From 1949-1951, Bill served in the National Guard of the State of Illinois as a combat engineer building bridges. He was promoted to platoon leader, then to 2nd Lieutenant.

From the mid-1950s, two children were raised in Arlington Heights, IL before moving to Buffalo Grove, IL after the nest became empty. Although raised in the Catholic faith, Bill attended various Protestant churches as an adult. The last one was Calvary Methodist of Egg Harbor.

Detail-oriented and meticulous, at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Harper Junior College, Bill achieved an associate's degree in drafting and mechanical engineering design. He continued to learn and advance in his successful career at Kraft Foods Inc. for over thirty years. He is known for designing Kraft's single-slice cheese packaging machine. He traveled in the United States to instruct manufacturers how the machine operated. At home, Bill's design and building expertise continued in his garage workshop and in finishing his Wisconsin home. For his young kids, he built a treehouse, sandbox, 2-person rocker, even a gerbil maze, and assembled a swing set and pool. He picked up woodcarving and created a model lighthouse scene and a castle during retirement. Playing Bridge, horseshoes, plus skating, skiing, bowling, fishing, and golf were additional pastimes. He wrote creative poems for friends, special occasions, his 50th wedding anniversary, and short stories. Bill thoroughly enjoyed being a tenor member of two church choirs, and two award-winning barbershop choruses in Illinois: The Arlingtones and The New Tradition. He was a whistler and had a good sense of humor.

The custom-designed, summer cottage in Door County was often lived in from May through October until he and Jerri became full-time, permanent residents of Egg Harbor in 2004. (Yes, he switched from being a Bears fan to a Cheesehead for the Green Bay Packers.)

Bill accompanied his wife while traveling by automobile, on ocean or river cruises, or land and sea tours. His feet touched over 40 countries on six continents and numerous United States national parks and historic sites. His children were taken with throughout America. Winter getaways were spent on sunny Sanibel Island, FL. Bill especially relished his 4:00 p.m. Manhattan while sitting in his northwoods home that overlooks Green Bay. During retirement, he enjoyed socializing with friends, grilling, being in the garage mancave, carving, and tidying up his forested property.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Geraldine "Jerri"; daughter, Jill K. Rix; son, David A. Rix; and grandchildren, Mary Kathryn Jenkins (Raymond Jenkins), Ann M. Rix, and Molly J. Rix. His great-grandson is Atticus R. Jenkins. All but his wife are in Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial contributions may be given to either: Door County Land Trust (P.O. Box 65, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235) or Door County Library - Egg Harbor (107 S 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235).

Huehns Funeral Home, Inc. & Door County Crematory LLC in Sturgeon Bay are assisting the Rix family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Bill may shared with his family through his tribute page www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.

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