William A. "Bill" Rather Sr.

William "Bill" A. Rather Sr., age 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025, with his loved ones by his side at Copperstone Assisted Living in Neenah. On January 4, 1937, William Albert, was one of four children born in Neenah to William A. and Margaret (Tobin) Rather. Bill had met Mary Jane Boelter and they were united in marriage on July 11, 1959 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah, sharing just over 53 years of marriage before her passing in 2013. Together they had four children and enjoyed watching them grow and have families of their own. For 31 years, Bill was employed as an Accountant at James River. He then enjoyed working for Woodman's in Appleton for 10 years.
Bill will be greatly missed by his loving children: William (Heidi) Rather Jr., Sally (Jim) Jolma, Tim (Laurie) Rather, and Kevin (Amy) Rather; his grandchildren: Jordan (Emily) Tolsch, Jaryn (Sydney) Tolsch, Evan Rather, Zachary (Katie) Jolma, Brent (Amanda) Jolma, Jordan (Abby) Jolma, Brady and Cory Rather, and Nathan and Lauryn Rather; his great-grandchildren: Cryllia, Emhyr, Ethan, Elle, Adalynn, Isabelle, Lucia, and Callan; his sister, Judy Olsen; his brothers: John (Jan) Rather and Dick (Shari) Rather; as well as other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Don Olsen.
The Memorial Service will be held for Bill at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Kessler Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah, WI 54956. The Memorial Gathering will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home. Private family inurnment will take place at St. Patrick Cemetery in Neenah.
The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to Bill's special neighbors, Dave and Mary Hildebrandt and his caregiver, Veronica Rodriguez, for their compassion and love given to Bill and his family. They would also like to thank the staff of Copperstone Assisted Living as well as the Moments Hospice staff for the loving care given during his short stay there.