William Paul Armstrong, was known as Bill to most. He grew up in Green Bay and spent many years working in Illinois, and raising a family with his wife of 47 years, Karen. Even before he got sick, she took good care of him, packing his lunches and making sure things were where he needed them. To her, he was Billy. Up until very recently there wasn't much time that he was not busy. If he had nothing that needed to be done, he'd go looking for something that required his attention. In fact he always kept an ongoing list of things to do and whenever he wrote it, was nothing but UPPERCASE letters. One exception to his need to be busy was his love of the Packers and the Brewers. He would root for his team and if asked if he'd like a beer, he might just reply, "I'll try one." Most of his down time was spent outdoors. To say he was an avid outdoorsman might just be an understatement. He was most satisfied by living off the land. He loved to fish and hunt, but gathering wood or berries was alright by him too. He had some pretty memorable fishing trips and hunts along the way and we were lucky enough to hear the stories to go with them. His gift for telling a story came from the emotion he felt as it unraveled. It also meant you may get to enjoy one of the deepest laughs you'll ever hear. Rules were important to Bill, he always wanted to do what was right. He was honest, fair and filled with integrity. He did nothing halfheartedly when it came to catching fish he made sure to set that hook! For those who had the joy of riding along in his vehicle, you know you had better never be in a hurry to get to your destination. If he quickened the pace he may have missed the scrape on that popple or the trail that had been made from one side of the road to the other. He had a keen eye for seeing deer or other wildlife or at his snail pace he drove and could spot the asparagus in the ditches too. He was adored by all of his grandkids and the feelings were mutual. When they were born most received their first fishing pole or bobber in the hospital. They all got their share of buck rubs from him too. He cared deeply for many who are left here behind and will miss his presence, but I believe a spirit this strong does not simply go away. Keep your eyes open, listen carefully for him, and I think he will surely be encountered. I cannot take credit for the beautiful words that follow, but had to include them because when he was shown recently he read it over and over and remarked on its precise vision. "Each of us has an Up North. It's a time and place far from the here and now. It's a map on the wall, a dream in the making, a tugging at one's soul. For those who feel the tug, who make the dream happen, who put the map in packsack and go, the world is never quite the same again. We have been Up North. And part of us always will be." Funeral Home: Ryan Funeral Home 305 N Tenth Street De Pere, WI US 54115