William "Bill" Richard Decker Jr., age 69 of Phoenix, AZ/New Glarus, WI, died at home surrounded by love on August 26, 2015.

Born in 1946 in Hartford, Connecticut, to William R. and Rita Decker, he graduated from Buckeley High School, Hartford, Connecticut, in 1965 and briefly attended St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, before enlisting in the Army. From 1967 to 1973, Bill served our country in the US Army 101st Airborne division, serving in Vietnam and the National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain. Bill was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, Air Medal and many other service medals. After the war, Bill met his true love, Margaret "Peg" Smyth, and after following her across the country to California, they were wed in 1974 with their loving family surrounding them.

Bill had a unique understanding of people, a quick wit, an infectious smile, extraordinary laugh and the type of positive attitude that was unstoppable. Family was always and without question the greatest source of his pride and joy. Bill loved to travel, and shared this love with his girls. Together with his wife Peg, he showed them the world, visiting many of the US States and traveling abroad to parts of Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Bill was proud of his career in the Oil Industry, working for many companies over the years: Exxon, Kuwait Oil Company, Petronas (Turkmenistan) and BP (Alaska). His career allowed him and his family live in many places, Connecticut, California, Wisconsin, Kuwait, Turkmenistan and Arizona.

He is loved and survived by his wife of 41 years, Margaret "Peg" (Smyth) Decker; his daughters, Kate (DJ) Schuett and Lindsay (Doug) Williams, both of New Glarus, WI; seven grandchildren, Darris, Drew and Declan (Kate's) and John, Electa, Justin and Abby (Lindsay's); and his siblings, Richard Decker, Laura Boyle and Rita (John) Parry. He will be greatly missed by a large extended family of nieces, nephews and their children.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William R. Decker Sr. and Rita Decker; brothers, Bruce and Thomas Decker; and a nephew, Tommy Decker Sisko.

Private services will be held at a later date.