William B. McCollum, known to many as Uncle Bill, passed away on Thursday, September 5, 2024 at Waupun Christian Home, with his family by his side. He was 82 years old.
Please join the family in celebrating Bill’s life at Beaver Dam American Legion, 300 Beichl Avenue, on Friday, September 13, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The memorial service may be viewed on Friday at 2:00 p.m. on Daily Dodge TV.
William Bruce was born on October 21, 1941 in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Earl and Rose (Wageman) McCollum. His family eventually settled in Defiance, Iowa, where Bill graduated high school in 1960. He had a passion for radio, and went on to Brown Institute School of Broadcasting, graduating in 1963. Bill worked at a few radio stations before finding his home in Beaver Dam, working for WBEV/Good Karma Brands. For the last 62 years, he has been heard in many homes, barns, and cars throughout Dodge County. Whether you heard him on The Morning Show or on The Barn Show in the evening, his voice quickly became one that you could never forget. Bill’s focus in radio was always to give the most accurate information to his listeners, but with a little bit of entertainment as well.
On April 7, 2018, Bill married his sweetheart, Linda Smith in Waupun. They loved spending time together on their back porch, watching the grandkids play or just enjoying each other’s company. He always felt completely blessed for the people that were in his life. Even in his final days, Bill wanted all his listeners, customers, family and friends to know how grateful he was for everyone. There will always be a void but it was so important to Bill for everyone to know that the show must go on!
Bill will be missed by his wife, Linda Smith McCollum of Waupun; adored daughter, Kristi (John) Love of Redondo Beach, CA; step children, Aubrey Sullivan of Wapun, Virginia (Rob) Fletcher of Juneau, Elizabeth (Chad) Linde of Brooksville, FL; beloved grandbabies, Chase, Samuel and Zoe Manke, Leila “Peachy Pie” Linde, Eleanor “Ellie Girl” Fletcher and Ford Fletcher; sister, Kay Hiller of Minneapolis, MN; brother, Bob (Anna) Marshall of Omaha, NE; his dog, McCoy; special nieces and nephews; other relatives and so many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Feel free to make a donation in William B. McCollum’s name to the Good Karma Brands John Moser Children’s Radiothon, in lieu of sending flowers.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com.
