Obituary of Barbara E. (Billmeyer) Barber

Barbara E. Barber, age 68, of Neillsville, WI, passed away Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Wells Nature View in Marshfield, WI, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Barbara was born on July 1, 1948 in Wisconsin Rapids to Thomas and Ellen (Wagner) Billmeyer.  She graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids before entering the University of Wisconsin Madison where she earned Master’s Degrees in Education and Social Work. 

Barbara married Barney Barber on the UW Madison campus.  Unfortunately, after thirty years, the marriage ended in divorce.  Barbara eventually found the rolling landscape of Neillsville her home for herself and her dog “Rowdy”.

Being an author and a motorcycle enthusiast, Barbara wrote many books which included a motorcycle travel guide of the southern Wisconsin area.  Barbara’s first book was titled “Sunday Rides on Two Wheels”.  When Barbara resided in the Sturtevant, WI area she served as Road Captain of the Kenosha Chapter of the Harley Owners Group.

Barbara is survived by her mother, Ellen Billmeyer of Wisconsin Rapids; brother James (Sharon) Billmeyer and their sons, Jess and Nathan Billmeyer of Verona, WI; sister Jean (Andrew) Knuesel of Wisconsin Rapids and their children: Lindsay Rogers of Ramsey, MN and Austin Knuesel of Wisconsin Rapids; and her faithful dog Rowdy.  Barbara was preceded in death by her father Thomas Billmeyer on October 4, 2016.

To honor Barbara’s wishes, there will be no public services or visitation. 

Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family requests that memorials donations be made to Marshfield Clinic Cancer Research, Attn: MCHS Foundation, 1000 N Oak Ave, Marshfield, WI 54​449.