Went home to his Heavenly Father peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, holding the hand of his beloved and devoted wife Mary. Born in Evanston, Illinois on March 6, 1934, Bill moved to Milwaukee his freshman year of high school and attended Country Day School where he met the love of his life and future wife, Mary Rogers Wirth Littell. They were united in marriage at St. Christophers Episcopal Church in River Hills in 1957. Bill spent two years at Brown University, prior to serving in the US Army during the Korean War from 1954 - 1956. Upon his return, Bill resumed his studies and graduated from Babson Business School. He and Mary moved back to Milwaukee and Bill started his career as an investment broker for the Milwaukee Company and Blunt Ellis & Lowe, before transferring to Smith Barney where he remained until his retirement. He and Mary lived in Shorewood for 30 years while raising their four loving children. In 1998, they then moved to Waynesville, NC, where they spent 12 wonderful years living in a close-knit community of friends in the Great Smoky Mountains. Bill and Mary returned to Milwaukee in 2010 to be closer to family. Bill, or Papa Bear, as one of his daughters affectionately dubbed him, had the type of personality most would describe as larger than life, and he made friends easily wherever he went. Within five minutes of meeting someone new, he knew their life story and by the end of the encounter, they parted as friends. Bill also had a wicked sweet tooth - it was never just one of anything - and sly sense of humor, both of which sometimes got him into trouble. But in the end, with a twinkle in his eye and his infectious smile, he always won them over. Bill cherished his four children, and will always be remembered for being a wonderful and supportive father. He was there to help them navigate the trials and tribulations of life, with a patient, listening ear and endless words of encouragement, and was a constant source of unconditional love throughout their lives. Bill loved to spend time outdoors and was an outstanding athlete - from tennis, to golf, to a wicked game of H.O.R.S.E. in the backyard - he always loved a good competition. He was also very philanthropic and welcomed the opportunity to help others and donate generously to his community. Bill spent a great deal of time throughout his life offering counsel and his services to many organizations, including his church, Little League, Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee. Bill is survived in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary Wirth Littell, his adoring daughters, Elizabeth (Doug) Littell OConnor, Gayelin Littell, and Heather (John) Pfeifer, his grandchildren, Emily (Pat) Pfeifer Carter, Sean Ian OConnor, and Audrey Pfeifer who loved their Bops, and his great grandson Harrison Albert Carter. He is further survived by his half-sister, Dana Littell Hutton, step-brother, Arthur Chip McIntosh, and brother-in-law, Harry McMahon Wirth, numerous relatives, and many wonderful and cherished friends. Bill is preceded in death by his beloved son, Russell Guy Littell, parents, William Harrison Littell and Eloise Lucille Lucy (Wes) Tuttle, parents-in-law, Russell Double Lee Wirth and Mary McMahon Wirth, brother, Robert Tatham Littell, and brother-in-law, Russell Double Lee Wirth, Jr. The family would like to thank the staff of Lasata Care Center and Compassus Hospice for their compassion and kindness, as well as the wonderful caregivers who so lovingly provided support and care for Bill before he entered Lasata, Bessie Jackson, Coreena Teague, Dionne Shumpert, and Catrina Taylor. Bill will be constantly missed and remembered by family and friends. His memory will be a comforting blessing for all who knew him. His family will host a celebration of his life on May 9 at 11:00 AM at St. Christophers Episcopal Church, 7845 North River Road, River Hills, Wisconsin. The family will receive guests there from 12:15 PM - 2:00 PM following the celebration. This is truly a celebration of a life well-lived and the family requests that everyone dress in bright colors, particularly Bills favorite color, orange. Plaid pants are welcome. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bills name to the Wisconsin Stars & Stripes Honor Flight and St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care (Bay View). Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home Bay View Chapel 414-483-2322