William A. Racette, 86, of Sturgeon Lake, Minn., passed away peacefully on Oct. 30 at the home of his daughter Gail Berry (Racette) in Newcastle. He was born in Duluth, Minn., to Arthur A. Racette and Ethel M. Racette.
Bill graduated from Denfield High School in Duluth, Minn., in 1943. Following his graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in August of 1943. He was very proud of his service in WWII as a Staff Sergeant Aerial Gunner in the 319th Bombardment Squadrant of the 90th Bombardment Group. He flew on combat missions to New Guinea, the Netherlands, the Indies and Philippines on B-24 Bombers with the famous Liberator unit, the “Jolly Rogers”. During his service he received a Good Conduct Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal, an Air Medallion, a Philippines Liberation Medal with a bronze star, three oak leaf clusters, two Presidential Citations and one service bar. He received an honorable discharge from the service in 1947, and was in the Enlisted Reserve Corps until November of 1951.
He proceeded to obtain a degree in engineering at the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, Minn., and worked as an engineer/draftsman for the Trane company for the next 35 years. He met the love of his life, Katharine M. Brand while working in Duluth in 1948. They were united in marriage on Aug. 12, 1949, in Duluth. In 1953 they moved to, and settled in, LaCrosse, Wis. There they raised five children along with six foster children.
In 1986 Bill & Kay retired and moved back to Minnesota where they spent the last 20 years, enjoying their home on Sturgeon Lake. Bill was an active member of the Hope Lutheran Church of Moose Lake. He enjoyed many things in life, amongst his favorites were enjoying the outdoors and nature. He loved fishing on his pontoon boat, woodworking, and most of all spending time with his visiting children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Ethel Racette; and wife, Katherine Racette.
Bill is survived by their five children: sons, Gary and wife Gretchan of Township, Mich., Tom and wife Ginny of Sheridan, Wyo., and John and wife Jeanette, of Gig Harbor, Wash.; daughters, Cathy and husband Bob Logar of Manhattan, Mont., and Gail and husband George Berry of Newcastle; grandchildren, Leigh Townsend, Mandy Campbell, Justin Racette, Meghan Racette, Laura Lemke, Adam Logar, Beth Logar, Anna Berry, Cassie Berry, Connor Racette, Julia Racette, and Lissa Racette; and great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Alliah, Sierra and Sienna Campbell, Jenna and Kylie Lemke, and Colin Townsend; and sister Lorraine Racette of Duluth, Minn.
A small gathering of family and friends will be held at the residence of George and Gail Berry on the Station Road in Newcastle, from 2-5 p.m., Sat., Nov. 5. A celebration of his life will be held in Moose Lake, Minn., on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11 at 11a.m.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta, and the Hope Lutheran Church in Moose Lake, Minn.
