William W. Klossner

Rev. William Klossner passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025 following complications from T-Cell Lymphoma. He passed away peacefully at home with his wife Hazel by his side. Rev. Klossner was a pillar of the communities in which he lived, especially the past 36 years in Punta Gorda and Charlotte County.

"Rev" was born in Madison, WI on March 11, 1952 to Albert and Loma Klossner. After losing his father to cancer at the age of 12, he was raised by Loma with a fierce independence. Bill learned at an early age how to take care of his family, especially his little brother Jeff. He loved to cook, which was a passion he took with him until his recent hospital stay. After graduating from Madison West High School, he proceeded to Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI. Majoring in Theology and Sociology and participating on the track team, Lakeland became an institution close to the Klossner family. At Lakeland, Bill met his first wife Christine. They married in 1974 and moved to Bloomer, WI after Bill graduated from the United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities. Over the next 10 years, Rev. Klossner would serve churches in Bloomer, Janesville, and Cleveland, WI; where they would also welcome their 3 children.

In 1988, Bill was called to be the first pastor of the newly formed Congregational United Church of Christ in Punta Gorda. He served the Church for the next 30 years and was named Pastor Emeritus in 2016.

Bill was also a fixture in the community, always willing to lend an ear and help those who needed him. Bill was a member of the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Arts and Humanities Council, and the Executive Director and Board Member of Peace River Botanical Garden, just to name a few. Bill also served as the Punta Gorda Police Chaplain, and as a baseball coach for both Punta Gorda Little League and Charlotte High.

Bill and Chris were married almost 40 years and traveled the world while raising their family. Though each of their children moved away, they all returned to Punta Gorda. In 2014, Bill lost Chris after a prolonged battle with cancer. In 2016, Bill was blessed to marry Hazel. The couple were well-known in town, seen in many photographs at community and Chamber of Commerce events. Together, their love of travel grew as they drove around the country in their RV and chronicled their "life in the right lane." Through everything, Hazel stood by Bill's side, including the near-constant schedule of their grandkids' sporting and school events.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Loma (Knapp) and Albert Klossner; his wife, Christine (Engebrecht) Klossner; and his father-in-law, Eugene Engebrecht.

Bill is survived by his wife, Hazel; his children, Jacob (Jenna), Michael (Krista), and Emily; his grandchildren: Caden, Kiersten, Boston, Dylan, Lincoln, Brinklee, Storie, Alaina, Easton, Everett, and Baby-on-the-Way Klossner; his mother-in-law, Marilyn Engebrecht; his brothers, Tom and Jeff (Pat); and his sister, Karen Demaree.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at 2pm for Rev. Bill on March 10, 2025, at Life Celebration Center in Punta Gorda, with the service beginning at 3pm, followed by a Celebration of Life gathering at Peace River Botanical Garden from 5-7pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to the Peace River Botanical and Sculpture Garden.