William "Bill" Rossman

William "Bill" Rossman

1923 - 2015

William (Bill) Rossman of Nashotah passed away at home on Jan. 4, 2015, at the age of 91 years.

On October 9, 1923 he was born in Racine, Wis., and resided in Racine for 88 years. He lived in Nashotah for the past three years. He was an active member of St Patrick's Catholic Church.

Surviving are his wife of 67 years, Alice (Potenziani) Rossman; a daughter and son-in-law, Pamela Hanson Melugin and Michael Melugin. He is survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Bill enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1943, which subsequently became the Air Force. He was a waste gunner on a B-24, which was shot down over Verona, Italy, (The City of Love) on Valentine's Day in 1944. He risked his own life to save one of his comrades from their burning plane. He was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, by Congressman Paul Ryan, for his courage and personal risk to save his comrade's life. He was subsequently captured by the Germans and spent two years as a Prisoner of War. He survived the Black March and two years later was freed from a German camp by General Patton and his tanks. He returned to the United States for rehabilitation. After recuperating, he entered officer training at San Antonio Texas, Lackland Airforce Base. He became a 2nd Lt. He married Alice while stationed at Lackland Airforce Base in 1947.

Bill was an assistant manager of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in Southeastern Wisconsin for 36 years. Bill was an avid golfer and started the Johnson's Park Golf Course Men's Club serving as President for many years. He was an Honorary member of the American Legion.Bill cofounded the Racine Tri Course Golf Tournament and was the Tournament director for 49 years. He attended St Catherine's High School and was later inducted into The St Catherine's Hall of Fame in 2003. Bill was a member of Meadowbrook Country Club for 33 years.

Celebration of life for Bill will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at 12:30 p.m. at Meadowbrook Country Club (2149 N. Green Bay Road, Mount Pleasant, WI). Family will greet relatives and friends at the Country Club from 10 a.m. until the 12:30 p.m. service. A reception will follow the service. Military Rites will be held at 3:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Bill Rossman Craniofacial and Cleft Foundation.

The Shimon Funeral Home, 824 Union Street, Hartford, WI 53027 (262.673.9500) is assisting the family. Online condolences may be found at www.shimonfuneralhome.com