On August 16, 2025, God called William Richard Eberhardt, Sr. home to his realm. He was born March 12, 1922, the son of Ernst and Martha (Uttecht) Eberhardt. A 1941 graduate from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, WI. He married his high school sweetheart Louise Wyman on September 12, 1942.

On October 12, 1942, he entered the Air Corps. He was transferred to the Air Transport Command in India as a Crew Chief Flight Engineer on C47 and C46 airplanes. Over a period of 19 months, he flew 37 missions over the Hump flying supplies into China. He was a control room operator at the Rock River Generating Station, retiring in 1984 to take care of Louise who had cancer. Louise passed away in 1986.

He married Thelma Eley in 1988. They travelled extensively and visited all 50 states and several other countries. Thelma passed away in 2011. He then met his long-time companion Ruth Loehrl who passed away in 2018.

William was also proceeded in death by his parents, three brothers Herman, Frederick, and Henry, two sisters Irene (Kolb) and Edna (Fisher), and one son, William R. Eberhardt, Jr. who was a victim of agent orange. He was also proceeded in death by daughter Nancy and her husband Ed Nupnau.

William is survived by sons Ralph Eberhardt, Richard Eberhardt, Charles (Linda) Eley, David (Mary) Eley, John (Cindy) Eley, daughter Kari (Jon) Taylor and sister Ester Halverson. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. The family would like to express gratitude for the care given to William by his friends, caregivers, and the staff at Cedar Crest Health Center who made his last years smoother.

A Memorial service will be held at 2:30 PM, Sunday August 31, 2025, at the New Apostolic Church 516 Grand Ave, Beloit Wisconsin.

A family internment service will be held in Manitowoc at a date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Cedar Crest Health Center, Janesville, Vets Roll, Inc, The American Cancer Society, or the Charity of your choice.