Funeral services for William “Bill” Bauers, 76, of Albert Lea will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. The Rev. Kent Otterman will officiate. Interment will be at Lunder Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Friday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

William “Bill” August Bauers was born Aug. 20, 1943, in Twin Lakes. He passed away Friday, Oct. 11, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loved ones.

Bill went to Twin Lakes School from first through eighth grades in a one-room schoolhouse, then ninth through 12th was in Albert Lea, graduating in 1961.

Bill had many hobbies and favorite past times. One favorite of his was being part of the Albert Lea Clown Troupe for 30 years. He loved making people smile and laugh with his incredible personality. Over the years he had many jobs, which included Wilson & Co., Queens Refrigeration, truck driving and ABC Seamless. He also took great pride in his job at Fleetguard for 18 years, where he was a groundskeeper. He was a hard-working man no matter the job; he put in 110%.

Bill also loved old cars, trucks, loud pipes, country music and cold beer. In the past few months Bill worked very hard to get “Old Blue” back on the road. He was so very proud of that truck and loved being able to be in a couple of parades this past summer with his grandkids.

Bill also loved going for tours and maybe stopping in here and there for a cold one. Even if he knew nobody by the time he left, he would’ve made a friend or two.

Bill loved with his whole heart. If you were his family or friend he would give you the shirt off his back if he had to. His biggest loves were his wife, daughters and their families. Boy, did he love his grandchildren!

Bill, Willy, Wileheimina, Billy, Wilhelm, Uncle Bill, Wild Bill, Brother Bill, Uncle Pewy, but his best names were hubby, Dad, father-in-law and one favorite Papa Bill. No matter the name you knew him, by he loved everyone. Bill always had a smile on his face and always had a joke or two to tell.

Bill has touched so many lives in so many ways. He will be missed by so many in so many ways.

And as he would say, “That’s it don’t cha know by golly!”

Bill is survived by his daughters Kim (Mike) Bidwell and Mindy (John) Hornberger; grandchildren Sereen (Zack) Bidwell, Jacob Bidwell, Tannon, Taylor and Tavin Hornberger; siblings Grace (Woody) Woodcox, Herman (Meri) Bauers and Deb (Larry) Struck; many nieces and nephews; all his adopted sons and daughters; and all who he called his family.

Bill is preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, LeEtte “Kay” Bauers; his parents William and Irene Bauers; brother, Norman Bauers; sister, Sharon Bates; brothers-in-law Hugh Bates and Wayne Branham; sister-in-law, Janice Bauers; and mother and father-in-law George and GeorgeEtta Dreyer.