Billie Jack Sjoquist, age 72, of New Holstein, passed away with his family at his side, following a 19 year battle with cancer, on Monday, December 9, 2019, at Manor Care Nursing Home in Appleton. He was born January 17, 1947, in Iron Mountain, Michigan to the late Roy William & Irma Loretta (Pearson) Sjoquist. Billie Jack graduated from Florence High School. He married his high school sweet-heart, Bernadette Leppanen, on May 14, 1968. Following his high school graduation, he attended UW-Oshkosh. During college, Billie Jack was drafted in the Army serving for 19 ½ months; part of his tour was serving in Vietnam for 13 ½ months. He received several medals during his service including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon his service in the Army, he returned home and continued his education at UW- Oshkosh where he received both his Bachelor Degree and Master's Degree in education. Billie Jack taught 5th grade for 27 years and 6th grade for two years at Kiel Middle School. With his years of service in the Army and his 29 years of teaching, he was able to retire at age 55. Billie Jack and his wife, along with the help of his brother, Swen and other friends, built their log cabin in Homestead, WI in 1979. They enjoyed many summer months there where he spent his time fishing, hunting, cutting wood, attending to his large garden, and cooking the many fish caught by the lakes near his cabin (he was noted for his secret fish batter). They also enjoyed going to the beach. Many nights were spent with family and friends around the campfires where he liked to tell a lot of stories. Billie Jack and Bernadette enjoyed dancing; especially the Polka. They also traveled to Hawaii, Tennessee, and many trips to Florida. He is survived by his wife, Bernadette; his two children, Kristine (Tom) Leverenz of Chilton and William Sjoquist of Chilton and his girlfriend, Margo; four grandchildren, Amber Freund, Cody Sjoquist, Katelynn & Calvin Leverenz; his great-grandson, Landon Red Lefeber; his brother, Swen (Carol "Bubbles") Sjoquist of Aurora, WI; his sister, Carmen Rude of Galatia, IL; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sharon Schuman of Florence, Deanna Hughes of Oconto Falls, Jack Leppanen of Florence, Warren "Bucko" Soderberg of Florence, Alene (Joe) Sleeter of Florence, and Brenda Mohr of Florence. He is further survived by nieces; nephews; other relatives; many friends and his four-legged companion, Tigger 3. In addition to his parents, Roy & Irma Sjoquist, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Beverly Keenan, Eldean Wilch, and Donna Sjoquist; his father-in-law, Waino Leppanen; his step-father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred & Joyce Soderberg; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Florence (Roy) Liddle, Adriene (Bill) Hoene, August Moratti, Michael Mohr, and Lloyd Hughes; and a special aunt, Millie Conn. Private family services will take place at a later date.