Father William J. Seipp

Reverend Father William Joseph Seipp, age 80, entered eternal life on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster, Wisconsin. He was born on April 26, 1937 in Lancaster, Wisconsin, the son of L. LeRoy and Leone (Minnick) Seipp. Father Bill grew up in a faith-filled and loving family in Lancaster, Wisconsin. His parents encouraged his vocation and musical talents, which he loved and lived throughout his life. He attended St. Clement Grade School, Lancaster, and furthered his education in Dubuque, Iowa – graduating from Loras Academy in 1955 and Loras College in 1959, with a degree in music and philosophy. Father Seipp attended St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee for theology studies. He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop William P. O’Connor May 25, 1963 at St. Raphael Cathedral, Madison, Wisconsin. He offered his first Mass of Thanksgiving on Memorial Day, May 30, 1963, at St. Clement Church, Lancaster.

Father Seipp began serving the Diocese of Madison as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary Parish, Janesville, and then was an Instructor at Holy Name Seminary, Madison. Thereafter he was Pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Cassville; St. Aloysius Parish, Sauk City; St. Patrick Parish, Madison, and St. Clement Parish, Lancaster, from which he retired in 2013.

During his years of service to the Diocese of Madison, Father Seipp served on the Diocesan Charity and Development Fund Committee; Diocesan Building and Planning Commission; St. Raphael Society Board, and Priest Personnel Board. He served on the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, and was appointed chairman in 1973, establishing the Office of Worship and serving as director until 1995. He was also active in Marriage Preparation, Marriage Encounter, Anniversary Encounter, and Together Encountering Christ (TEC).

Father Bill dearly loved his family and especially enjoyed celebratory gatherings that featured good food and dancing; this went along with his fondness for entertaining in his home. He loved traveling to visit family and friends, especially when there was the opportunity to celebrate the Sacraments of the Church with them – such as Baptisms, First Communions, and Weddings.

He is survived by a loving extended family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded by a sister, Mary Ann, in infancy.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Clement Catholic Church, 135 South Washington St., Lancaster, Wisconsin, on Friday, March 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. The Most Reverend Robert C. Morlino, Bishop of Madison, will celebrate the Holy Mass with Reverend John Meoska as homilist. Visitation will be at St. Clement Catholic Church on Thursday, March 8th from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and on Friday, March 9th from 10:00 am until the start of Holy Mass. Interment in St. Clement Cemetery, rural Lancaster. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is serving the family.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.