A true Milwaukeean
Bill had both a kindness and sternness. He could nurture a plant to life and mildly scold a mischief squirrel into turning over a new moral leaf. There was a twinkle in his eye, unless he was bored of a politician, and would allow you to talk; talk until you felt you had expended; at which would come an honest acknowledgement or a drop of wisdom.
“Sell was among Milwaukee’s religious community of civil rights, anti-war and social justice activists. He was an associate of civil rights leader Father James Groppi, and of members of the “Milwaukee 14”. read
urban milwaukee
Remembering Bill Sell
Urban Milwaukee article September 4th, 2022 by Virginia Small.
“Ordained a Catholic priest in the 1960s, he served the community at St. Catherine’s Parish in Milwaukee until 1969, when he left the priesthood.” read
SHepherd express
Milwaukee Independent: Can you talk about your relationship with Father Groppi and his efforts to improve civil justice in Milwaukee during the 1960s?
Bill Sell: “I joined the Civil Rights marches, including one brutal march into the south side. I helped get Father Groppi involved in the anti-war movement, mixing Civil Rights and the growing antiwar movements. We became better acquaintances later on, after he left parish work. I can recall when he drove a bus and got elected president of the local drivers’ union.” read
