William F. Sniff

William Sniff, formerly of La Crosse, died peacefully at Oak Park Place in Baraboo, WI, on January 28 at the age of 94.

Born in Peoria County, Illinois on April 14, 1931 to Clarence and Ethel Sniff, Bill grew up on farms in Illinois and later near Mineral Point, WI. He graduated from Mineral Point HS and worked his way through college, obtaining an associate’s degree from Kendall College, IL, a B.S. in Education from Northwestern University, and later a master’s degree in Exceptional Education from UW Milwaukee.

Bill devoted most of his 30-year teaching career to teaching and developing programs for special needs youth. In the beginning, such youth were typically institutionalized. At Southern Wisconsin Colony and Training School, Bill was tasked with developing and teaching a curriculum for educable special needs residents and eventually served as principal. After this, he taught at public schools as it became more common and eventually required to mainstream special needs youth and help them to become self-sufficient. At age 31, Bill published a book that included his recommended curriculum for special needs young adults, that went into several printings and was also translated and used in other countries.

On June 10, 1967, Bill married Shirley (Pleyte) Wylie in Oconomowoc. After retirement in 1986, they moved to La Crosse, joined Asbury (Faith) United Methodist Church, and became involved in church volunteer work, gardening, and assisting Bill’s mother and Shirley’s daughter and grandson. In 2015, Bill and Shirley moved to Oak Park Place in Baraboo to receive needed help and support from relatives and staff.

Friends, family, and faith have always been important to Bill. In Oconomowoc and La Crosse, he and Shirley would regularly host family gatherings and entertain friends. A life-long Methodist, Bill received a local preacher’s license from the West Wisconsin Annual Conference of the Methodist Church, served as a Sunday School teacher and on church committees and started an activities program for retired Methodists (RAMP).

Bill is survived by his step-grandson, Chad Wylie of La Crosse, his step-great-grandson Donavin Wylie of La Crosse, his sister-in-law Yvonne (Conrad) Heinzel of West Bend, and many nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his parents, wife, stepdaughter Carol Wylie, and siblings; Clarence Jr, Eugene, Helen Stone, and Betty Olson.

A short service of remembrance will be held at 10 AM on Sunday, February 15, at Faith United Methodist Church, 1818 Redfield St., La Crosse, WI 54601, after the regular 9AM service. Memorial donations can be made to Faith United Methodist Church in Bill’s honor.