Charles William "Bill" Grady

Charles William "Bill" Grady, age 95, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2026, at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls.

Bill was born on September 15, 1930, in the Town of Little River to Everett "Ted" and Lucille (Marek) Grady. Bill was a Corporal in the United States Army, serving from 1951 to 1953 He was a combat veteran, serving in Korea with the 194th Combat Engineers. He received three Bronze Stars, United Nations Service Medal, two Overseas Bars and met lifelong friend Wallace Pattee.

On September 12, 1953, Bill married Marie Shallow at St Charles catholic church in Lena, beginning a devoted marriage that lasted 72 years. Bill was a member of St. Anthony's Catholic church and served on and chaired the Building & Grounds committee for several years.

In 1964, Bill established Grady Oil Company, a successful family business delivering fuel and oil products for 50 years. Prior to owning his own business, Bill worked at the Oconto County co-op in Oconto Falls as a Petroleum Salesman for 15 years.

Bill was committed to both his family and his community. He was actively involved in his children's activities and believed strongly in service to others.

Bill coached his sons' baseball teams from Little League through Legion baseball, leaving a lasting impact on many young athletes. He served on the Oconto County Board of Directors for 26 years, including work on the committee overseeing the construction of the Oconto County Law Enforcement Center (LEC). Bill retired from the County Board in March 2018, shortly after the facility opened.

A lifelong public servant, Bill was a dedicated member of the Oconto Falls Fire Department for more than 57 years. He was one of three longtime firefighters recently honored with a flagpole and plaque at the new Oconto Falls Fire Station.

Bill enjoyed the outdoors and treasured time spent at his family's cabins up north, first in the Town of Athelstane and later at Half Moon Lake. He created many memories there with family and friends, including many years of snowmobiling. Bill was also was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed many fishing trips to Canada, sharing those experiences with friends and family.

Bill and Marie enjoyed several trips to Arizona for Brewers spring training, and Bill was honored to attend the Veterans' Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2015, alongside his son, Timm.

Bill is survived by his wife, Marie Grady; his children, Joan (Ron) Curran and Chuck (Debbie) Grady; son-in-law, Tim Lisowe; and daughter-in-law, Debbie Leja-Grady.

He is further survived by his grandchildren: Sarah (Steve) King, Becky (Kenny) Behnke, Amy (Troy) Brehmer, Courtney (Keaton) Kazik, and Travis (Sarah) Grady; and great-grandchildren: Brian (Lauryn) King, Audrey King, Mathew (Lily Kurek) Behnke, Addyson (Alex Foht) Behnke, Trace and Allie Brehmer, Gunner and Quinn Kazik, Max and Lily Grady.

Also surviving are his sisters, Janice (Jerry) Binkowski and Mary (Carl) Vowinkel; sisters-in-law Shirley (Richard) Gilles, Gail Shallow, Eileen Shallow, Mary Lynn Shallow, and Sharon VonHaden; brothers-in-law Russ (Mary) Shallow and Wayne (Bonnie) Shallow; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, relatives, and friends, including special friends, Bart and Gloria Schindel.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his children Jean Lisowe and Timm Grady; great-granddaughter Hazel Kazik; his sisters Valerie (George) Feldt and Gloria (Francis) Brabant; brothers-in-law Oliver Jr. (Margaret) Shallow, Chester (Joyce) Shallow, Vernon (Eloise) Shallow, Roger Shallow, Kenneth Shallow, Richard Shallow, and Jerry Shallow; and sisters-in-law Phyllis (Joe) Smith, Carmen (Don) Danks, and Jean (Dale) Henrichs.

Per family wishes, a private memorial service will be held.

In lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Oconto Falls Fire Department, 431 Union Avenue Oconto Falls, WI 54154.

The family would like to thank their neighbors, the Dakins family, for all of their help and support.