Obituary of Duane W. McWilliams

Duane W. (Mac, Buster) McWilliams, a longtime resident of Waukesha, WI passed away on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at the age of 91. He was born in Palmyra, WI on February 1, 1932, to parents Walter and Lillian McWilliams (nee Weber). Duane married the love of his life, Betty (nee Megal), on July 7, 1956, and together they raised their five children. After serving in the Marine Corps from 1952-57, he was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sargent of the Third Division Engineers. Duane was a charter member of St. William Catholic Church, a member of the Marine Corps League, the American Legion, and the Elks Club. As a sixth-generation sheet metal worker, he started his career alongside his father, and continued at Tom’s Heating Service, Specialty Associates Inc., and Energy Saving Systems. He especially enjoyed sharing his knowledge and talents with his many co-workers, three sons, two sons-in-law, and one grandson. He shared his love for camping and the outdoors as a volunteer and leader of Cub Scouts Pack 22 and Boy Scouts Troop 22, for many years, and annual summer camping vacations across the country with his family. He was a loving father and grandfather who cherished spending time with his family, cheering for the Green Bay Packers, deer hunting with his sons, and listening to country music, especially Johnny Cash.

Duane will be deeply missed by his children, Felicia Froschmayer (John), Mark, Robert (Laura), Randall, Roxanne Platz (Greg), and bonus daughter, Gina Benedict Velez (Eddie); grandchildren, Duane (Melissa), Joshua (Taylor), Ryan, Alexander, Brittany (Mitchell), Benjamin, Jeremy, Katelyn (Trent), Eleanor, and Grace; great grandchildren, Isabella, Ryker, Eleanor, Adalie, and Evan; brother, William; and companion, Princess. He is further survived by other family and many friends.

Duane was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years; his parents; and siblings, Loraine Elger, Doris Schmidling, Lucille Johnson (his twin), James, and Gerald.

A visitation for Duane will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Cesarz Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188. A second visitation will take place on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 10:30 am until the start of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188. Entombment will immediately follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the Wisconsin Chapter of the Third Marine Corps Division Association, c/o Joe Deloria, 1912 Brad St., Waukesha WI 53188, or Cavalier Rescue USA, 6400 N. Paseo Tamayo, Tucson, AZ 85750 (www.CavalierRescueUSA.org/donate).