Obituary
William Franz Grinstead
"Bill"
Date of Birth ~ July 28, 1960
Date of Death ~ April 16, 2022
Age ~ 61
William F. Grinstead, 61, of Rhinelander, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
“Wild Bill”, or “The Wild Man”, as he was commonly known, was born in Pulaski, Virginia, but lived most of his early life in Dublin, Virginia. Bill graduated from Pulaski County High School in 1978, where he enjoyed playing Baseball, wrestling, and his greatest love, football.
After graduation, Bill worked for over ten years as a machinist at Inland Motors (Kollmorgen). Having an adventurous spirit, Bill headed Northwest to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. He worked there for ten years as a QC inspector on fishing boats. During his off season, Bill traveled to Rhinelander, where he eventually made his home. Over the past years, Bill has worked various jobs, most recently with Northwood’s Nursery.
Bill enjoyed cooking and grilling. He tweaked recipes and created his own recipes. Bill delighted in introducing various cuisines and spices to his family and friends. Bill was most happy when entertaining his friends and family while listening to his love of Rock and Roll and country music.
Storytelling, along with his sense of humor, were among his gifts. Bill was known for combining words which fondly became “Bill-isms”. Among Bill's interests and loves were NASCAR, college and professional sports in both basketball, and football (GO PACKERS!).
He was a history buff, and among his favorites were the Civil War, and World War II.
Bill is survived by his girlfriend of twenty-five years, Donna Barnhill, and her sweet granddaughter, Kiersten. He is also survived by his mother, Myrtle Grinstead, sister, Minniejan Krenzer, sister-in-law, Ivy Grinstead, and many nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Charles M. Grinstead, and a brother, Barry M. Grinstead.
A Celebration of Life will be held in Rhinelander at a future date.
Memorial contributions in honor of Bill may be given to the charity of your choice.
Bill’s ashes will be interred by the family at Highland Memory Gardens, Dublin, Virginia.
To plant Memorial Trees in memory of William "Bill" Franz Grinstead, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
William Darrell Bratton
So sad to hear this news. Bill was one of the first people that befriended me when we started classes at PCHS. We grew very close in those four formadable years raising cane and as you would expect into everything.
Prayers for his family and R.I.P. my dear ol friend. Memories are a treasure of which no one can steal.
Steve Sutphin
I was really sorry to hear about Bill. I talked to him on the phone a few years ago. We laughed and talked about the good times we had in school. Bill was a good friend! We talked about trying to get together sometime, but we never did. RIP Bill you were one of the really good ones.