William Edward McCarty Obituary
William "Bill" Edward McCarty of Mequon, WI, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2024, with his beloved wife Janet by his side.
In addition to Janet Tenneson-McCarty, he is survived by her son, Michael Ondrasek and deceased daughter, Julie Ondrasek. Also survived by the mother of his children, Donna K. McCarty, and their loving children, James E. McCarty (wife Judy), Mary E. Kuntz, Kathleen M. McCarty (husband Peter Bell) and William (Bill) E. McCarty. Bill was blessed with five grandchildren, Jade, Jake (deceased), Jordann (Jeremiah) and great-granddaughter Mazikeen McCarty and Charles and Maya Kuntz. Also survived by sister Joanne McCarty McCarthy (five nieces) and Mary Ellen McCarty and deceased brother James B. McCarty.
Bill was born January 30, 1937, in Milwaukee to his parents James Edward McCarty and Josephine Murphy McCarty. Bill attended and graduated from Marquette University High School, Marquette University and Marquette Law School. He was a member of the Marquette Law Review and served as clerk to Justice Myron L. Gordan of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Bill returned to Milwaukee as an associate at Charne and Tehan, which later became Charne, Glassner, Tehan, Clancy and Taitelman, where he practiced trail law for over 25 years. With attorney Richard Lenz, Bill formed the law firm of McCarty and Lenz, practicing trail law another 20 years.
Bill served as Milwaukee Junior Bar president and many years as a board member of the Mequon Police and Fire Commission and Catholic Knights. He had 27 years of active service to Legal Action of Wisconsin. Always community-minded throughout his long career, he engaged in pro-bono legal help.
Bill was an outstanding athlete, excelling in basketball and tennis, which he played until age 84. Bill especially enjoyed nature and hiking with Janet. Growing up he spent summers on Big Cedar Lake where he developed a love for sailing that continued throughout his life.
As an extraordinary Catholic, Bill always treated everyone equally conveying a genuine love and respect for all those he met. He was a noble man that inspired those around him and radiated kindness, intelligence and wit. A great storyteller who knew no stranger. He was an avid reader. Bill and Janet (an artist) went to and supported the arts. They enjoyed going to art openings, the theater, the symphony and the opera.
Bill and Janet had wonderful friends in the various places they lived, Mequon, Door County, and St. George, UT. In the last 20 years, Bill enjoyed a monthly luncheon with friends from Marquette High School class of 1955, including his very nearly life-long friend, Andrew Clarke. He loved the conversation and camaraderie and was truly the de facto leader of the group.
He was a great husband and his children admired and loved him beyond words. He will be missed.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, please make donations to the Milwaukee Women's Center, a division of Community Advocates Donate | Your Gift Can Change Lives | Community Advocates in Milwaukee, WI. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 29, from 11:00am until time of memorial mass at 12Noon at Lumen Christi Catholic Church, 2750 W. Mequon Rd., Mequon, WI 53092.
