William L. "Bill" Buckingham

Mineral Point - William LeRoy “Bill” Buckingham, age 95, died peacefully at his home in Mineral Point, WI on Friday, October 21, 2022. He was born November 8, 1926 on the family farm in Waldwick Township, Iowa Co., WI to Clarence “Roy” Buckingham and Sarah “Annie” Golliner. He attended schools in Mineral Point and graduated from High School in 1944. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his birthday in 1944 and served through 1946 in the South Pacific during the end of WW II. Bill married his High School sweetheart, Lois M. Whitford, on April 19, 1947 at the First United Methodist Church in Mineral Point, and they were married for over 72 wonderful years. Bill attended Coyne American Institute for electrical and refrigeration training in Chicago in 1947, which started a life-long career in the utility industries. He worked in Mount Horeb for 4 years before moving to Mineral Point in 1951 and working for Wisconsin Power and Light (Alliant Energy) until retirement in 1987. Bill played basketball in High School, and as an adult he played basketball in the city league and on fast- and slow-pitch softball teams. He enjoyed golf and the camaraderie the game offered and had two holes-in-one to his credit. He was an avid fan of Badger, Packer, and Brewer sports. Bill and Lois enjoyed camping trips with their family in their pop-up camper, visiting family throughout the U.S., and their several trips to England traveling with or visiting family and researching their U.K. genealogy. They reveled in the everyday lives and accomplishments of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Bill was very active in the Mineral Point community. He served on the Board of Review for the city of Mineral Point and the Mineral Point School Board. He was a 73-year member of Mineral Point Masonic Lodge No. 1 and a 50-year member of the Homer and Lee Parkinson American Legion Post 170. He was raised in, confirmed, and served on the church board and many other committees of the Congregational-United Church of Christ in Mineral Point. Bill loved visiting with his many friends and acquaintances whenever he was out and about. Bill always seemed to know someone, even when traveling far from Mineral Point. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Lois, on January 30, 2020; his parents; his father- and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Elsie Whitford; a brother, Delwin Buckingham; brothers-in-law: Raymond McCarville, Charles Noble, and Ellsworth Peterson; and a niece, Charlotte Rule. Bill is survived by his 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren: Son William W. (Lynne) Buckingham of Mount Horeb and their 3 children and 8 grandchildren: grandson William R. Buckingham of Monona and great-grandchildren Lois and Eleanor; grandson Brendan (Alisa) Buckingham of Mount Horeb and great-grandchildren Avalyn, Eliana, and William R. F.; grandson Baird (Kristin) Lackner-Buckingham of Mount Horeb and great-grandchildren Audrie, Kieran, and Kinslie. Daughter Lynda (David) Thomas of Madison and their 3 children and 8 grandchildren: grandson Tristan (Erika) Thomas of Chicago and great-grandchildren Elsie and Holden; granddaughter Carrie (Steven) Thomas-Wink of Franklin, TN and great-grandchildren Abbigail, Cambrie, Lillie, and Emerson; and granddaughter Melissa (Daniel) Marek of Madison and great-grandchildren Collette and Simone. Son Blane (Melissa) Buckingham of Colgate, WI and their 2 children: granddaughters Lauren Buckingham of Hobart, WI and Megan (fiancé Grayson Borrego) Buckingham of Athens, GA. Bill is further survived by his sisters: Joyce Peterson of Madison and Wilma McCarville of Oregon, WI; his sisters-in-law Joyce Buckingham and Virginia Noble of Mineral Point; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST in Mineral Point. Pastor Susan Carr will officiate. Military Graveside Rites will be accorded by the Homer and Lee Parkinson American Legion Post 170 and VFW at Graceland Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 3:00 until 7:00 PM and on Friday from 10:00 until 10:50 AM at the Congregational United Church of Christ. A Masonic Lodge Service will be held on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM at the church. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in Bill’s name to the M.P. Rescue Squad, 907 Ridge St., Mineral Point, WI 53565; the M.P. Congregational-UCC church, 300 Maiden St., Mineral Point, WI 53565; or a local charity of your choice.

William L. "Bill" Buckingham

November 8, 1926 - October 21, 2022