William Leroy Muetze Jr.

Born July 1, 1956 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was the son of the late William Leroy Muetze, Sr. and Eloda Lavonne Hayes Muetze. After graduating from Madison East High School, Bill proudly served for 4 years in the U.S. Navy as a Machinist Mate on the destroyer ship, USS Agerholm during the Vietnam war.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman. Bill also had a love affair with motorcycles, and raced motocross quite often, accumulating numerous wins and trophies.

After his discharge from his home port in San Diego, California, Bill settled in the Sacramento area and began his career in the aerospace industry at American Polytherm. Bill’s team fabricated the heat-resistant tiles for the space shuttle and other projects for NASA.

Bill loved the outdoors which led him to numerous pursuits. He would spend several months every year dredging for gold in the Sierra Nevada, where he fell in love with off-road and 4-wheeling adventures. He was well known in the Rubicon Trail area for his fearless, but calculating, ability to cross any obstacle.

He owned, managed and operated, numerous outdoor power equipment businesses throughout his life.

He became a ‘world class’ fabricator and builder of various projects. His nickname was “MacGyver” because it seemed like there wasn’t a thing he couldn’t fix, repair, or at least get running again.

His skills as a master mechanic led him to become the National Service Manager for Fort Mill, South Carolina-based Compact Power, Inc., a world leader in excavation equipment and rentals.

After leaving Compact Power, Bill started a fabrication and upfitting business that catered to Land Rover vehicle owners. Bill became well-loved and respected internationally for his ability to create off-road ‘beasts’ from a very unique British piece of engineering.

Balancing out a busy work life, Bill’s time was spent with family. He was a loving husband to Linda and devoted father to his three children (Will, Travis, Amber). The family regularly attended and served at Lord’s Gym Church then Bayside Church in Roseville. Much enjoyed were the weekend fishing, camping and off-roading trips, and the special eagerly-anticipated Christmas vacations that Bill planned and saved for all year.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Muetze; three children, William Muetze IV and Travis Muetze, both of Fort Mill, and Amber (soon-to-be Gardner) of King; four grandchildren, Sam Gardner, Georgia Gardner, Wesson Gardner, and Riley Haigler, all of King. He is also survived by sister Allie Olsen (Bill) of Roseville, CA and brother Jim Muetze (Toni) of Sparks, NV, and sisters Sue Schild, Kathy Luce, and Patricia Hewitt, all of Citrus Heights, CA.

He is preceded in death by two sisters, Sylvia Taft and Dianna Kreil.

A service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, September 29, 2023 in the chapel of McEwen Funeral Service – Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. The family will receive friends after the service.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.