Timothy Willems, 51, of De Pere, passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee after a courageous thirty-five year battle with aplastic anemia. He was born on January 22, 1958 to Richard and Elizabeth (Day) Willems. Growing up in De Pere, Tim graduated from East De Pere High School in 1976. He went on to attend St. Norbert College, receiving a degree in accounting in 1980. Tim worked at Milprint, Inc., subsequently Bemis Company, Inc. from 1978 until the time of death. Tim's spirit, sense of humor and smile will be missed by everyone who knew him. An avid sports enthusiast, he loved playing baseball, softball, golf, Packer games, attending sporting events of all kinds, and especially loved coaching children with his other coach, Dave Strick. He also enjoyed playing cards, especially cribbage. His family was the center of his life and he was happiest when he could spend time with his children. Tim never let his illness stop him from enjoying life. No matter how much pain he was in, he always greeted everyone with a smile and an attitude of kindness that was an inspiration to those around him. Few people survive for thirty- five years with aplastic anemia; a life that included a kidney transplant and bone marrow transplant lovingly donated from his brother, Mike, as well as many other setbacks. But Tim never complained and always rose above it to enjoy every day. Tim is survived by his wife, Cindy (Calaway-Walter), four sons, Tony Willems, Milwaukee, Eric Willems, Denmark, and their mother, Debbie Willems, as well as Matthew Willems, and Greg Walter (fiance Kysa), De Pere; grandson, Kaleb, mother, Mae Willems, three brothers, Richard (Karie) Willems, De Pere, Michael (Denise) Willems, Green Bay, Scott Willems, Madison, three additional brothers, Greg (Kate) Albers, Little Chute, Cory (Debra) Albers, Abrams, and Chris (Jody) Albers, Stoughton, one sister, Jean Bergner, De Pere, grandmother, Catherine Day, and further survived by uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends. Tim was preceded in death by his father, Richard, his mother, Elizabeth, his maternal grandparents, Stanley and Irene Day, his paternal grandparents, Arnold and Edith Willems, and brother, Kurt Albers. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff at Froedtert Hospital for the wonderful care and compassion he received during his long illness, and especially those in the bone marrow transplant unit and intensive care unit. Cindy also sends a special thank you to Lisa and Pat Kawala, Rick Willems, Anne Hermanson, Cathy Calaway, Marge and Bernard Calaway, and Mike Willems for their special support. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:45 pm at RYAN FUNERAL HOME, 305 North Tenth Street, De Pere. A Celebration of Tim's Life and Family Reflection Service will be held at 7:00 pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Family and friends are encouraged to tell a story sharing a memory. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Willems family.