WILLIAM K. BERNHAGEN JR., (BILL) 84, Passed away November 14th at his home. Bill was born in Junction City WI January 1st 1932 to parents William F. Bernhagen and Harriett S. Bernhagen (Francis) both deceased. Bill attended Junction City public school until his sophomore year in which he graduated from P.J.Jacobs High School (Stevens Point) in 1949. Bill received many credits attending various technical colleges incorporating mechanical engineering and associating automobiles. Bill served as a Master Sergeant in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1951 to 1954. He began working as a technician for his father at Bernhagen Chevrolet (est. 1932) in Junction City following high school until a devastating boating accident sidelined his father in which Bill took over all duties of the dealership 1950. Bill married Shirley Ann Grover (Junction City) in June of 1954. Bill continued to operate the Chevrolet Dealership while raising a family of five sons. Bill and wife Shirley acquired sole ownership of the dealership from his father in 1969. The Chevrolet Dealership was sold in 1996 when Bill decided to retire. He worked part time as a TSA agent and salesman at Meyer's Marine. He was the Junction City Fire Chief for many years as well as the Town of Eau Pleine Chairman. Bill was an outstanding baseball player (catcher) and had tryouts for major league teams but was overlooked because of a previous knee injury. Bill was a great mechanical fabricator and engineer with insight for functional design. Bill was a good water skiier and loved boats where he actually helped design and build steel inboard boats with his father. In the late 1950's he began aiding in designing and building of late model stock cars engine and chassis for the late Wisconsin short track dominating driver Marlin Walbeck. He continued this love of racing through the early 1970's when Walbeck finally retired. Bill still seeking his love to be involved with racing became associated with Wausau native and good friend NASCAR privateer Dave Marcus in the early 1980's. Bill participated in years of NASCAR with Marcus performing raceday duties from crew member to crewchief until 2001 when Marcus retired. Bill participated in some racing himself, ice racing with CWIRA for a partial season until a head injury took him out of competition. Bill loved his family, deer hunting, Lake DuBay (he witnessed the birth and life of Lake DuBay) throwing a good party, and especially his wife of 62 years, Shirley. Bill is survived by his wife Shirley; Junction City, WI sons; Cliff (Mary); Junction City, WI Dan (Shari); New London, WI William III (Fancy) Corpus Christie, TX daughter in laws; Clare; and Gale. Nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Bill was proceded in death by two sons; Alan (Clare), Bruce (Gale), his sister; Lois Jane Duffin and his parents Mr. and Mrs. William Bernhagen Sr. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 18 at 12 noon at the Martens / Rembs Funeral Home on 124 Main Street in Junction City. A visitation with family and friends is to be held at the funeral home from 10 am until service time.