William A. Clauer

William A. "Bill" Clauer, age 97, of Lancaster, passed away at Edenbrook in Platteville, on Saturday, July 31, 2021. Bill was born in Beetown Township on June 26, 1924, to Fredrick and Belva (Duncan) Clauer. When Bill was eight years old, he came down with Scarlet Fever. The fever destroyed his hearing for the rest of his life. Bill continued school in Beetown and graduated eighth grade. When Bill was thirteen, his father passed away and he being the oldest son took over the job of running the family farm. Bill stayed on the farm until the mid 1940's when he heard of a job running heavy equipment to build the Dubuque Airport. This led to a career of road building all over the state, working for Beetown Township and retiring from the Grant County Highway Department. In October of 1947, Bill married Betty Haas. They had three children: Terry, Sherry, and Karol. Betty passed away on July 4, 2019, leaving Bill alone; he missed her so much. Bill was always a hard worker and always busy doing something. He was a very gentle, meek man and great father and husband. In his later life, he studied mathematics. He taught himself advanced math, filling his head with formulas, cube roots, and functions. If you asked him what pi was, he would tell you the first 10 digits.
Bill will be greatly missed by his family. He is survived by his children: Terry (Chris) Clauer, Sherry Losch, and Karol (Brian) Ellig; his grandchildren Joshua Clauer, Derek, Michelle, and Brian Losch; and two great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his brothers: Paul (Shirley) Clauer; John (Margaret) Clauer; sister-in-law, Sharon (Jim) Weisbenner.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sisters: Esther Klein, Maxine Weber, Ella Blackbourn, Pauline Christopherson, Joyce Kelly; a brother, Jim Clauer; a son-in-law, Donald Losch.
Private family burial will be in Hillside Cemetery in Lancaster. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is assisting the family.