William “Bill” Wendell Kroncke passed away on May 2nd in Williamsburg, Virginia. A lifelong Californian at heart, Bill was born and raised in downtown San Francisco, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and later earned his MBA from Santa Clara University.
Bill proudly served for 24 years as a Supply Corps Officer in the United States Navy Reserve, including two active duty tours during the Vietnam War, and retired with the rank of Captain. He built a distinguished civilian career spanning 38 years in government finance and accounting with General Electric, working in both the Nuclear and Aircraft Engine Divisions. Following his retirement from GE, Bill continued consulting for more than a decade with projects that frequently took him to England and Italy.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Bill shared nearly 55 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Virginia “Ginger” Volheim. Together they raised their two children, Bryan Kroncke and Kristin (Kroncke) Schrader in Lancaster, California before settling in Loveland, Ohio where they lived for over 21 years. Bill and Ginger were very involved in the Loveland community, especially through their children’s activities and the Loveland School Drama Club productions.
In 2016, Bill and Ginger retired to Williamsburg, Virginia where he enjoyed pursuing his many interests including golf, OSHER classes at William & Mary, and tinkering with his cherished 1966 Ford Mustang. He remained active serving on numerous committees within the Ford’s Colony Home Owners Association, volunteering as a local election judge, and countless social gatherings with dear friends.
Bill and Ginger shared a love of travel, visiting destinations around the world — often tied to their children’s military assignments across the United States and Europe, and, most recently, Thailand. Among their favorite places was the Papakea Resort in Maui, Hawaii, which became a beloved home away from home.
Bill’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife, Ginger; his children, Bryan and Kristin; their spouses, Jill Rockholt Kroncke and Andrew Schrader; and his five grandchildren Margot and Lincoln Kroncke, and Siena, Anneliese, and Violet Schrader.
