Allen R. “Al” Williams
Allen R. “Al” Williams, 77, of Medford, passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2026 surrounded by family and while under the care of Hope Hospice. Al was born Nov. 3, 1948 in Medford to Richard and Bernadine (Peche) Williams. He graduated from Medford High School in 1966. On July 27, 1968, he married Mary Norton. They resided in Medford where they raised their three children.
Al owned and operated the Medford Happy Joe’s Ice Cream Parlor and five Hardee’s restaurants for approximately 40 years. He served as the president of the Happy Joe’s National Franchisee Association and was awarded the National Franchisee of the Year for both restaurants.
Al earned his real estate license and owned and operated Al Williams Realty for a short time before starting his own construction company, Al Williams Construction Company, and ran it for approximately 20 years. He was a talented mason whose craftsmanship can still be seen throughout the community. Among his proudest accomplishments were building the large fireplace in the main shelter at the city park, helping plan and build the new Medford Fire Hall and its later addition with Pat Doyle, and contributing to the construction of the Simek Recreation Center.
He also contributed greatly to his hometown by volunteering and working diligently to make it a great place to live. He was a dedicated citizen and served on many boards and committees including: the Taylor County Board of Supervisors for four years, where he and his wife were one of only a couple of husbandand- wife teams to both serve on the board; city council alderman for six years, and was the Medford Chamber Of Commerce 1988 Man of the Year; volunteer firefighter on the Medford Fire Department for 30 years, leading a fundraising campaign that raised approximately $20,000 for a thermal imaging camera and was an integral part of creating the youth fire department; member of the Town and Country Days Board; served on the Taylor County Dairy Promotion Board and volunteered as a cook and donated food from Hardee’s at
1948-2026
many dairy breakfasts; member of the Taylor County Sportsman Club Board, volunteering many hours on projects; member of the Simek Recreation Center Board Of Directors during construction and later served as the Medford Area Youth Hockey Association president; member of the Taylor County Tavern League, member of the Memorial Hospital of Taylor County Building Committee; member of the Taylor County Tourism Council; member of Immanuel Lutheran Church; member of the We Whittlesey Whizzers Snowmobile Club; and was the recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding dedication to and support of The High Ground in Neillsville.
Other things Al enjoyed doing were downhill skiing, golfing, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed spending time working in his yard, gardening and swimming in his pool. He and Mary loved spending time at their cabin on Solberg Lake in Phillips. Al was an active member of the Solberg Lake Association, serving as president and volunteering his time on various work projects. Above all, Al cherished spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Medford; three children, Kris (Rebecca) Williams, of Park City, Utah, Kimberly (John) Fechhelm, of Medford, Michelle (Jerry) Wiskerchen, of Wausau; grandchildren, Dakota Wiskerchen (fiancée Morgan Piller), Marrol Wiskerchen (fiancé Tony Bonney), Evan Fechhelm and Brody Fechhelm; great-grandchildren, Asher, Savannah, Zayne, and Cooper.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Ronald.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Medford with Rev. David Spaude officiating. The service will be livestreamed on the church YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@ILS54451/streams Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery II, Medford.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home, Medford and from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m., Saturday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may go to the family for designation at a later date.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online.
Paid Obituary 186320
