William D Kerakos

William Donald Kerakos, age 94, of Rochester, MN passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at the Charter House in Rochester, MN.

William "Bill" was born on October 29, 1931 in Austin, MN to James and Eileen (Smith) Kerakos. He graduated from Saint Augustine High School in 1950. After graduating he joined the US Marine Corps. Bill completed one tour in Korea, followed by two Mediterranean Cruises, spending time in Italy, Sicily, Greece, Spain, and Turkey. While in Italy, he attended a Papal Audience led by Pope Pius XII before his death in 1958. He then completed a 16-month tour of duty in Okinawa, Japan and served In the American Embassy protecting classified material in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for a year, and served two tours at the American Embassy in Saigon, Viet Nam. Between tours he attended the Marine Security Guard School in Washington DC, and later was assigned as Chief Instructor at MSGS. In between the aforementioned assignments, he spent time on the East Coast at Camp Lejeune in NC, and at Marine Headquarters in Washington DC.

After 20 years, he retired from the Marines, and joined the Uniformed Capitol Police in Washington DC. He interrupted this second career in order to get a degree in Criminal Justice from University of Nebraska at Omaha, and then returned to the Capitol Police, where he served first in Communications and then at Headquarters. He retired from the Capitol Police and continued to work in the same position for another 8 years, employed by the United States Treasury Department.

Bill was fully retired at 62 years of age, traveled and lived in Florida for 20 years and most recently lived at Charter House in Rochester MN. He volunteered at his church, Holy Anargyroi Sts. Kosmas and Damianos Orthodox. Bill was a Shriner since 1973, where he made great friends including Fred Wilson, and brought joy to countless children as "Bingo Bill" All his life and well into his retirement, Bill was into physical fitness and athletics.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elaine; two daughters, Judy and Jody.

He is survived by Stepsons Eugene McCleary (Lynda) and Raymond McCleary (Tamara) and his beloved Grandchildren Emily, Erin, Jennifer, Brittany and Alex, as well as great Grandchildren Carson Clark and Wyatt Weber; also survived by his beloved cousin George Kerakos.

The Family would also like to thank Cherie Atkins at the Charter House whose friendship and service to Bill for which we are eternally grateful.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00AM on Friday, March 13th, 2026 at Holy Anargyroi Sts. Kosmas and Damianos Orthodox Church (703 W Center St, Rochester, MN 55902) with visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Burial with military honors will be at 1:00PM on Friday, March 13th, 2026 at Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery-Preston in Preston, MN.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Kerakos family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com