William "Bill" Maeck

William John Maeck, 88, passed away on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at Fairwinds-Sandcreek Assisted Living. Bill was born on May 18, 1929, in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Walter and Wilma (Krohn) Maeck and was the oldest of two children. Bill spent his childhood in Wausau along with his sister, Nola. Starting at a young age, Bill worked in his father's barbershop shining shoes. Bill attended the University of Wisconsin where he majored in chemistry under Dr. Farington Daniels. After graduation in 1954, Bill met the love of his life, Shirley, and they were married in Madison, Wisconsin. Bill served two years in the US Army Chemical Corp., at which time he was stationed in the Nevada desert where he witnessed several atomic bomb shots. Bill and Shirley moved to Idaho Falls where Bill was employed with the US Atomic Energy Commission Laboratory which later became the INL, and Shirley worked as a surgical nurse. Bill’s work entailed developing methods for the analysis of Uranium, Plutonium and fission products. Several of his methods were developed and published in Analytical Chemistry. In 1975, Bill was part of a team of scientists that traveled to South Africa to study the natural reactor of uranium in the Okla mines. Bill and Shirley were blessed with two daughters, Lynn, born in December 1956 and Kristy, born in May 1961. The family moved to the New Sweden area in 1966, where they built the home where they resided until Bill moved into the Fairwinds retirement home late in 2016. Bill and his family were avid outdoor lovers and spent much of their time duck hunting and fishing. He loved to travel and support the sport of dog training for years and trained many award-winning dogs. When he retired in 1984, he could focus all of his time trading stocks, training dogs, and traveling to warmer climates with his wife, Shirley. He left a legacy of generous contributions to activities in the community that he loved and enjoyed. Bill is survived by his daughter, Lynn (Mark); daughter, Kristy (Gregg); granddaughter, Katelyn (RD); grandson, Michael; sister, Nola (Bud); nieces, Joanne and Heidi; nephew, Mike; and his honorary daughter, Melissa Lawson; 2 great nieces and 1 great nephew. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 16, 2018, at the Shilo Inn, 780 Lindsay Blvd., with Reverend Lyn Cameron of the Unitarian Universalist Church officiating. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the College of Eastern Idaho, Tautphaus Park Zoo, or the Idaho Falls Senior Citizens Center.

Memorial Services will be held