Dr. William A. Rader

MINT SPRING

Dr. William Austin Rader, 89, of Mint Spring, died Friday morning, July 28, 2006, at the Stuarts Draft Christian Home, where he had most recently been a resident.

A descendant of Johann Adam Roder, one the first settlers (c.1745) in the lower Shenandoah Valley, Dr. Rader was born August 27, 1916, in Detroit, Mich., a son of the late William A. Rader Sr. and Ella (Van Belcom) Rader.

He was a graduate of Michigan State University and earned his degree as a doctor of veterinary medicine in 1940. Following his graduation, he re-opened the veterinary practice of his late uncle, Dr. Charles Noble, in Coral, Michigan, before volunteering for the war effort. In 1942, he was joined in marriage with June LaMoine (Hudnut) Rader; the couple shared a union of 59 years prior to her death in 2001.

After serving in both the United States Army and the United States Air Force, and attaining the rank of captain during the Korean War, he was honorably discharged and returned to private practice in Lakeview, Michigan, in 1951. His career was highlighted when he was selected as Michigan's Veterinarian of the Year in 1962. He left private practice in 1964 for a private firm in Marion, Ind., prior to becoming a toxicologist for the Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C.

In 1969, Dr. and Mrs. Rader purchased the remainder of the John T. Shields Plantation in Mint Spring. Following their retirement in 1979, the couple maintained a winter residence in the Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida, area but spent their summers "on the farm."

A 33rd Degree Mason, Dr. Rader was a member of the Saladin Temple F.A.&A.M. He was also a life-long member of the Lions Club, the International Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebecca Club. He was a private pilot, a wellknown stamp, coin and watch collector, and accomplished as a photographer, carpenter and genealogist. In 1964, he published the book, Veterinary Economics, which was used as the standard reference in veterinary schools for over 20 years. Dr. Rader was well known nationally for the many articles he published, as well as his numerous appearances as a guest speaker. He and his wife also published The Descendants of Johann Adam and Katherine (Tauber) Roder, in 1987, which today serves as a cornerstone for family genealogists.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his son, William A. Rader III; and brother, Serino B. "Stan" Rader.

Family members include his surviving children, Robert D. and his wife, Rebecca (Dalton) Rader, Diana S. Rader, Richard L. and Ellen (Bruce) Rader, and John A. and Michelle (King) Rader; seven grandchildren, Wendy Nicodemus Bazilian and her husband, Jason, Kristin Nicodemus Leikam and her husband, Aaron, Adam John Rader and his fiance'e Kaye Littell, Leslie Charlotte Rader and her fiance', Mike Nelson, William Austin Rader IV, Paul Christopher Rader and James Michael Rader. A former son-in-law, Ronald Nicodemus, also survives him.

A memorial service will be conducted at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 5, 2006, in the chapel of the Hamrick Funeral Home, 18 West Frederick Street, Staunton, by Chaplin Jeffrey Schroeder. Interment will be in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Stuarts Draft Christian Home, 144 Patton Farm Road, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477.

Relatives and friends are invited to view this obituary and share remembrances or condolences with the family at www.nationalobituaryarchive.com.

"Bill" was a beloved father and friend, who will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him. Now he can get all the questions answered about his ancestors by talking to them.