William K. “Bill” Bernhagen Jr., 84, died Monday, Nov. 14,
2016, at his home.

A memorial service will be held at noon Friday, Nov. 18, at
the Martens/Rembs Funeral Home in Junction City.

Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. Friday
until the service.

Condolences may be offered online at www.rembsfh.com.

Mr. Bernhagen was born Jan. 1, 1932, in Junction City, a son
of the late William F. and Harriett S. (Francis) Bernhagen. He attended
Junction City public school until his sophomore year, and graduated from P.J. Jacobs
High School in Stevens Point in 1949.

He earned many credits attending various technical colleges,
incorporating mechanical engineering and associating automobiles.

He served as a master sergeant in the Wisconsin National
Guard from 1951 to 1954.

He began working as a technician for his father at Bernhagen
Chevrolet (established in 1932) in Junction City following high school, until a
boating accident sidelined his father and he took over all duties of the
dealership 1950.

He was married to Shirley Ann Grover in June 1954 in Junction
City.

He continued to operate the Chevrolet dealership, and he and
his wife acquired sole ownership of the dealership from his father in 1969. The
Chevrolet dealership was sold in 1996 when he decided to retire.

He worked part time as a Transportation Security
Administration (TSA) agent and salesman at Meyer’s Marine. He was the Junction
City Fire Chief for many years, as well as the town of Eau Pleine chairman.

In the late 1950s he began aiding in designing and building
of late model stock cars engine and chassis for the late Wisconsin short-track
driver Marlin Walbeck. He then became associated with Wausau native Dave Marcus
in the early 1980s and performed race-day duties for Marcus in the National
Association for Stock Car Auto Racing from crew member to crew chief until 2001
when Marcus retired.

Survivors include his wife of 62
years, wife Shirley, Junction City; three sons, Cliff (Mary), Junction City,
Dan (Shari), New London, William III (Fancy), Corpus Christi, Texas; two
daughters-in-law, Clare and Gale; nine grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

He was also preceded in death by two sons, Alan and Bruce;
and one sister, Lois Jane Duffin.