William "Bill" J. Maves

William J. Maves, 73 of Elk Mound, WI passed away on June 12, 2025 at Luther Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire with Palliative Care, surrounded by family.

William “Bill” was born March 13, 1952 in Menomonie, WI to parents Lawrence W. Maves and Virginia D. (Johnson) Maves. He grew up in Menomonie, graduating from Menomonie High School in 1970. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Sherrie Nicol. They married on December 28, 1974.

Following high school, he earned a degree in Police Science from Vocational Technical and Adult Education in Eau Claire. He was also a volunteer fire fighter with Menomonie while going to school, and was hired full-time shortly after he finished school. He was with the Fire Department for almost 10 years when a back injury prevented him from continuing his firefighting career. He was also a Dunn County Reserve officer during this time.

Bill then became a non-traditional student going back to school to be a teacher. He graduated cum laude in 1988 from the University of WI Stout with a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology Education and a second degree in Vocational, Technical, and Adult Education. He was a member of Epsilon Pi Tau, an honor society for technology. He was also selected to be listed in the publication “Who’s Who in America”. During his college years, he was a part time dispatcher with the Dunn County Sheriff’s Department.

Bill started his teaching career in industrial arts, teaching woodworking, then concentrating on teaching technology education.

In 1996, Bill earned his Master of Science degree in Education from the University of Superior. He had the distinct pleasure of receiving his degree in the presence of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was there to receive an honorary degree from the university.

Bill finished his teaching career as a special education teacher. He enjoyed his students and loved their “Light Bulb” moments when something impossible finally clicked.

Bill obtained his Extra Class Amateur (Ham) Radio license in 1982. For 43 years he enjoyed this hobby of talking to other Hams locally, nationally and internationally. His call sign was WJ0M, his initials.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Sherrie; sister Shirley Peterson of Elk Hart Lake, WI; two brothers-in-law Aaron Nicol of Colfax, WI and Bryan Nicol of Knapp, WI; three sisters-in-law Jane Nicol of Colfax, WI, Tammie (Terry) Christensen of Tuscan, AZ, and Heather (Kevin) Lannon of Elk Mound, WI. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews that brought him great joy when spending time with them.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Maves, three sisters Judith Kohlhagen, Jean Brackett and Joan Sabatke, father-in-law Frances Nicol, mother-in-law Barbara Lewis, and infant nephew Glenn Holerud Jr.

A visitation and gathering will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27, 2025 at Olson Funeral Home in Menomonie, WI. A private family burial will be held at Christ Lutheran/Halvorson Cemetery in Menomonie, WI at a later date.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com