Harold Salsbery

     Harold I. “Bill” Salsbery Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep the morning of June 12 at Grandview Care Center in Blair.

     Bill was born in Dunmore, PA, to Harold and Mary (Watkins) Salsbery Aug. 24, 1931. His family moved from Pennsylvania to Los Angeles, CA, in 1950. He met and married the love of his life, Clarice Morgan, Feb. 11, 1951. They had three children, Laura, Gwenyth Mock (Dana) and Stanley (Mary Lou). He has seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

     Bill’s career began in California with Sears Roebuck, and Sears transferred him to Chicago, IL, in 1966. The family then lived in Glen Ellyn, IL. Bill retired from Sears as a national controller, accounts payable in 1971, and then started his own business, Salsbery Tax Service, in Glen Ellyn. In 1972, Bill and Clarice purchased a 120-acre Wisconsin farm, aka “Woodiebrook,” and began the restoration of the farmhouse and started a Christmas tree farm. It was the hobby of their lives. The tree farm provided Christmas trees for many years and was the inspiration for a Christmas wreath business. North Country Christmas Greens is, to this day, a fully operational family business. In 1991, Bill and Clarice made Woodiebrook and Wisconsin their permanent residence. 

     Bill loved life. He spent his life deeply involved in family, community and church. His greatest passions were Boy Scouts, Woodiebrook and tennis. Bill was involved in the Boy Scouts from early in his youth. He became an Eagle Scout, of which he was very proud. He would tell you that scouting shaped the man he would become because scouting gave him the tools he would need to live a positive and meaningful life. One of those tools was stewardship. By every definition of the word stewardship, Bill was a true steward of his family, community and God. 

     Woodiebrook meant the world to Bill. It was always the place where family gathered for holidays and reunions. He loved to sit up in his office at the top of the silo and work. He loved to work. He would watch the sunrise and survey the property, animals and birds from that vantage point. He was very much a steward of the land as well. Bill was involved in the Hixton Methodist Church, Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers and other projects and events in the community. He organized and coached a summer tennis camp in Taylor for many years. He wanted all kids to have the chance to learn the game that he loved so much. 

     Bill is survived by his wife of 71 years, Clarice; their three children; and his brother, David of San Jose, CA. 

     He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mary, and his sisters, Marilyn (Fontana) and Peggy (Mullen). 

     A celebration of Bill’s life will be held later this summer. 

     Heartfelt thanks go out to the Grandview Care Center “angels” that took care of and watched over our father as well as to B-Home for their caring for him at home and Jackson County Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers for their assistance. 

     Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.