Harvey Allen Bilz

Harvey Allen Bilz, of Phillips, WI, died Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center Park Falls in Park Falls, WI. He was born October 17, 1936, to Paul and Nelda (Miller) Bilz, at home in Butternut, WI. Harvey graduated from Butternut High School. He married his best friend Ruth Zoesch on November 24, 1956. Together they moved to Janesville, WI, to raise their family.

He worked at a mix of careers, he started at the GM Plant in Janesville, he was a teamster Union Driver, he hauled propane, gasoline, and fertilizer, and hauled cars like his dad. Harvey and Ruth moved to Phillips after retirement. Together they would escape the Wisconsin winters by driving to Florida. There they enjoyed NASCAR races, walking on the beach, and fishing.

He loved to pitch horseshoes, go bowling, and dance. He enjoyed watching the Brewers, college basketball, and college & pro football. He was a member of the Wisconsin Horseshoe Pitching Association; he had numerous trophies and badges. He played high school baseball as well.

Harvey was preceded in death by his soulmate: Ruth; parents; siblings: Delores Daniels, Sandra Dziek, Erna Bilz, Nelda Bilz, Marion Bilz, Patricia Beitz; brother: Paul Bilz III.

He is survived by his children: Roger (Nancy) Bilz, Linda (John) Waters, Gregg (Michelle) Bilz; grandchildren: Nathan Bilz, Jenna (Dustin) Joswick, Maxwell (Taylor) Bilz, Connor (Courtney Curtiss) Bilz, Bodie Bilz; great grandchildren: Teddy, Cal, and Bentley; sisters: Nancy Illbeck, Anna Clark; brother: Eugene (Connie) Bilz; and many other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held Sunday, June 7, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Butternut, WI, at 2:00 pm. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Harvey’s honor can be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Butternut, WI, or to Cancer Research.