The city of Cadott, Wisconsin, and the surrounding Chippewa Valley community lost one of its most beloved members on May 4, 2026, when Billy R. Fransway passed away unexpectedly at the age of 46.
Born on April 12, 1980, Billy spent his entire life pouring himself into the people around him, whether they were family, coworkers, or young athletes just learning how to skate. His absence leaves a hole that those who knew him say cannot easily be filled.
Billy grew up with hockey in his blood. Inspired by his older brother Corey, he took to the ice at a young age and never really left it. His mother drove him to rinks across the region, often with his little sister Sheena in tow, and weekends were rarely free from the sound of skates hitting ice.
By high school, Billy had developed a reputation as someone who played the game with fire and humor.
He had a particular gift for getting under the skin of opponents, and if a penalty box was nearby, chances were Billy would eventually find his way into it. His grandmother Agnes, known affectionately as Aggie, always insisted it was never his fault.
A Career and a Community He Truly Loved
Few people dedicate three decades to a single employer, but Billy was not most people. He began working at Pizza Hut as a dishwasher and, over 31 years, worked his way up to Assistant District Manager.
Along the way, he earned an Associate’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism from Chippewa Valley Technical College, but perhaps more importantly, he became a mentor to countless young employees who passed through those doors.
He had a smile that put people at ease and an energy that made showing up to work feel worthwhile. Beyond the restaurant walls, Billy used his platform to give back, supporting school lock-ins, youth sporting events, and nearly every community initiative that crossed his desk.
On August 20, 2011, Billy married Shawna, the love of his life, and embraced her daughter, Haley, as his own from the very beginning.
Together, they grew their family to include Harper, Hollyn, and Henry. Family life for the Fransways meant time on the boat, weekends at the camper, rides on the side-by-side, and vacations that became the stories their kids will carry forever.
Billy was the kind of father who showed up to every game, every practice, and every recital, and he did not just watch quietly from the bleachers.
He coached all four of his children through the Chippewa Youth Hockey Association and the Chippewa Valley River Hawks for nine years, logging hours on the ice and even more hours volunteering behind the scenes.
He recently joined the board of the hockey association, a role that reflected just how seriously he took the sport and the kids who played it.
A Heart That Always Put Others First
Those closest to Billy describe him the same way every time: a heart of gold and a laugh you could recognize from across a crowded room.
He had a way of making people feel seen and valued, always placing others before himself.
He faced personal heartbreak throughout his life, including the losses of his mother Mary, his father Jeff, and his grandmother Agnes, and he carried those losses with quiet strength.
Billy Fransway was 46 years old. He was a husband, a father, a coach, a mentor, and a friend. The Chippewa Valley will not forget him.
