William R. Rasmussen, age 89, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, passed away Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Atrium Post Acute Care in Wisconsin Rapids.

Memorial services for William will be held at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 7, 2019 at Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids. Deacon Jerry Ruesch will officiate the service. The family will greet relatives and friends on Thursday evening at the funeral home from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Burial will take place at a later date at St. Philomena Cemetery in Rudolph.

William was born on August 13, 1929 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin to the late Ernest and Christine (Hanke) Rasmussen. He attended the Edison Grade School in Wisconsin Rapids and later graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. He married Shirley Ann Crotteau on October 4, 1952 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. She preceded him in death on February 14, 2015. William served in the National Guard for over 17 years and was called to active duty from October 1961 – August 1962 in response to the Berlin Crisis. He attained the rank of Sergeant First Class during his time in the Guard.  As a young man, he spent time picking cherries in Door County at the “Cherry Camp,” helped his brothers Jim and Bob run the Standard Service Station and later worked for over 40 years at the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune as a journeyman pressman.

William enjoyed playing many different sports including golf and pool. He was active in a bowling league and once scored a perfect 900 series. William was an avid fisherman, made and sold his own fishing jigs, was a Boy Scout Webelo Troop Leader for the Our Lady Queen of Heaven Troop, enjoyed gardening, loved going out square dancing with his wife Shirley and enjoyed volunteering his time at Our Lady Queen of Heaven as an usher for Sunday services.

William is survived by his four children Dale (Susan) Rasmussen, Jean (Richard) Goldberg, Paul (Tinamarie) Rasmussen and John Rasmussen; 11 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; one step-great-great grandchild; brothers James (Bette) Rasmussen and Larry (Jan) Rasmussen; brother-in-law Lyle (Karen) Crotteau.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley and brother Robert (Jan) Rasmussen.

William’s family would like to thank the staff of Ministry Home Health- especially Robbie- and the staff at Atrium Post Acute Care for the wonderful care given to him.