May 22, 2017Longtime Wisconsin grower passes
Billie Bula, of Antigo, Wisconsin, died Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Care Partners under the care of his family and LeRoyer Hospice. He was 100 years old. He was born on February 15, 1917 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, a son of Stanley and Mary (Klamerus) Bula, Sr. He married Waymeth Roy on January 3, 1941. She preceded him in death on July 17, 2001.
He was raised in Ackley, Wisconsin, and worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Ashland and Camp McCoy. In January of 1941 he enlisted in the United States Army where he attained the rank of sergeant. He served on the west coast of the United States and in Germany during WWII and was discharged October 1945.
Following military service, Bula returned to Antigo and began a 32-year career working for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad as a switchman. He retired in 1976. Bula loved to farm. While working on the railroad he farmed with his father, Stanley, and brother, George, in Ackley. In retirement he farmed at Mole Lake with his sons.
He was a member of the United Transportation Union, Antigo Rails, the Msgr. Conrad Saile Knights of Columbus Council 1002, Sparks-Doernenburg American Legion Post #3, Leland Tollefson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2653 and St. John Catholic Church.
Survivors include two sons, David and Edward Bula of Mole Lake; a daughter, Mary (Stephen) Bradley, Antigo; a sister, Angeline Cejka, Antigo; a brother, Raymond (Mary) Bula, Cross Plains; six grandchildren Richie (Terri) Bula, Cindy Bula, Paul (Kate) Bradley, Sarah (Carl) Meidl, Stan Bula Sr. and fiancee Britney, Justin Bula; and 10 great-grandchildren Jake, Alex, Stan Jr., Sierra, River, Connor, Holden, Sydney, Meredith and Lainey.
In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by two sons, Charles and his wife Angie Bula, Daniel Bula; three sisters, Anne (Jumbo) Ziebarth, Martha (Alex) Zaganczyk, and an infant sister, Dorothy Bula; four brothers, Stanley (Edna) Bula, Jr., George (Mae) Bula, Theodore Bula, Edward Bula; and a brother-in-law, Norman Cejka.
The funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, May 22, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. Burial took place in Queen of Peace Cemetery where the Antigo veterans also conducted military honors to honor Bula’s life.
