William “Bill” George Armstrong, 72, of Danbury, Wisconsin, passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Burnett County Medical Center. Bill was born on October 26, 1953, in Siren, Wisconsin, to William P. and Marjorie Armstrong.

To most who knew him, though, he was simply Wild.

A lifelong resident of the Danbury area, Bill was warm, fiercely loyal and protective, incredibly hardworking, and one of the funniest people you could ever hope to know. He possessed a razor-sharp wit, a legendary collection of one-liners—many of which are probably best left out of print—and a nickname for just about everyone. If you spent any amount of time with Wild, chances are you left with a story.

Bill began his working life as a union laborer. After losing his father on the job, he took a different path, purchasing what would become Wild Bill’s in Webster. Under Bill, the gas station, bait shop, laundromat and community gathering place became an iconic stop for locals and visitors alike. Everyone knew Wild, and Wild seemed to know everyone. Long after his hardest working years were behind him, he could still often be found uptown in the morning, drinking coffee and swapping stories with close friends.

Bill met the love of his life, Linda, through mutual friends. The two married in March 1976 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

Together, Bill and Linda built a full and busy life. Their child-rearing years were filled with hockey, hockey-parent friendships, pool parties, hard work, and a lot of fun. They loved going dancing with close friends each week. Years later, after working incredibly hard to make an early retirement possible, they settled into a slower rhythm together, spending the last 15 winters in the Phoenix area and the rest of the year at home in Wisconsin. Mornings often began together over breakfast, watching wildlife outside the window. Their days might take them in different directions to pursue their own interests, but they came back together over the incredible meals Linda prepared.

And they never stopped dancing.

Even near the end of Bill’s life, when he no longer had the strength to stand, Bill and Linda still found a way to dance together in their home.

Bill was a master outdoorsman, but whitetail deer hunting was his great passion. He began hunting public land and, through years of hard work, eventually purchased land of his own. Over time, he transformed it into what could only be described as his own unofficial game preserve. He knew the land, the deer, the stands and the strategy behind each hunting season intimately. Checking trail cameras, studying deer movement and planning for the next season weren’t simply hobbies—they were part of the rhythm of his life.

He shared that passion especially closely with his son, Kyle, who was not only his son but his best friend. They spoke every day. As fellow business owners, there was always business to discuss, followed closely by the latest trail-camera pictures, plans for the upcoming hunting season and, inevitably, Bill’s granddaughters.

His daughter, Karlyn, inherited so much of her dad: his sharp mind, extraordinary drive and determination. Bill was immensely proud of the life she built with her husband, Stefano, in London and of the arrival of their son, Luca.

Being Grandpa, “Grampy Boy”, was one of Bill’s greatest joys. Sydney, Finley and Avery spent countless hours riding (driving??) beside him in the side-by-side, checking deer stands and exploring the property. They played volleyball with him at the house and, more recently, had begun joining Grandpa in the deer stand. Around town, Bill lovingly referred to the girls by a nickname that probably shouldn’t be printed in an obituary—something anyone who knew Wild will find completely unsurprising.

That same special bond extended to his great-nephew, Billy Fish, and Billy’s children, Ella and Jimmy, who were loved by Bill like grandchildren of his own. Billy and Bill shared an especially close relationship throughout Bill’s life. Billy was always there—someone Bill could depend on, willing to lend a hand whenever and wherever it was needed. His help, friendship and presence meant a great deal to Bill over the years, and perhaps never more so than during Bill’s final chapter.

He was equally excited to become Grandpa to baby Luca. Although distance and time prevented the meeting his family so desperately wanted, Luca will grow up knowing his Grandpa Bill through the countless stories, traditions and pieces of Wild that his family will carry forward.

Bill loved his beagles, bib overalls and Wisconsin Badger football—because, as far as he was concerned, college football was simply better. He was also a longtime supporter of local youth sports and loved watching and encouraging the young athletes in his community. And, of course, he loved a good story told among friends. Some of those stories became legends in their own right. The annual hunters’ breakfast at Kyle’s house on deer opener grew naturally out of the friendships Bill cultivated over countless mornings of coffee and conversation. He had a remarkable ability to make people laugh, and he remained Wild right up until the end.

In July 2025, Bill was diagnosed with terminal gastric cancer. He faced the next year the same way he faced most things: with determination, toughness, humor and an intense love for his family. He fought for every bit of time he could have with Linda, his children and his grandchildren, rarely allowing others to see just how difficult the fight had become. Even in his final days, Bill was sitting up, visiting, joking and laughing with the people who came to see him.

For all of his humor and toughness, Bill also had a quiet way of showing up when someone he loved needed him. Sometimes there was no big speech. During one particularly difficult moment for a family member, Bill simply walked over, wrapped them in a hug and said, “You know who you are.”

That was Wild. He knew who he was, too.

He was Linda’s dance partner of 50 years. Karlyn and Kyle’s dad. Kyle’s best friend. Grandpa to Sydney, Finley, Avery and Luca. A businessman, hunter, storyteller, friend and fixture of his community. He worked hard enough to build the life he wanted, and then he was wise enough to enjoy it.

Those who loved him will find him in a hundred familiar places—in the first good trail-camera picture of the season, a beagle’s bark, a Saturday Badger game, morning coffee among friends, a ride through the woods to check the stands, and the stories that will undoubtedly get better with every retelling.

And somewhere, someone will complain about the weather and hear Wild’s voice supplying a one-liner that still isn’t fit to print.

Bill leaves to celebrate his memory his wife of 50 years, Linda Armstrong of Danbury, WI; children, Karlyn (Stefano Perino) Armstrong of London, England, and Kyle (Abbie) Armstrong of Eagan, MN; grandchildren, Sydney, Finley and Avery Armstrong, and Luca Perino Armstrong; siblings, Patricia Sutton (Bob Simpson) and Kelly Armstrong; nieces, nephews, and many other loving family members and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Marjorie Armstrong, and his sisters, Carol Hoefs and Judith Hollenack.

The Celebration of Life for Bill will be held at Forts Folle Avoine, Danbury,WI on August 22,2026 starting at 11:00 a.m. 

The Swedberg-Taylor Family Funeral Homes have been entrusted with arrangements.