William "Bill" Rathge

William “Bill” Rathge

January 2, 1951 – January 16, 2022

William Victor “Bill” Rathge, 71 , of Deshler, Ohio passed away Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the Henry County Hospital, Napoleon, Ohio.

Bill was born January 2, 1951 to Victor and Ruth (Gore) Rathge in Henry County.  He has an older sister Jane (Harold) Nitschke and his niece, Kelly (Dave) Campbell.  He was confirmed in Immanuel Lutheran Church, Deshler and is still a member.  He was a member of the class of 1969 of Deshler High School from Kindergarten through his senior year.  It was the last class to graduate from Deshler. 

Bill served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War for four years and was stationed not only in DaNang Vietnam, but later in Germany as well.   After returning to Deshler, he enjoyed driving truck and traveling this great country for 36 years; working many years for William F. Hoops Trucking, Inc. of Deshler.  He was a die-hard Republican his entire life and he greatly admired all things Ronald Reagan. 

He was a member of the Deshler American Legion Post #316, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Defiance chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America.  He had recently received 100 percent disability and was looking forward to joining the Henry county chapter of the Disabled American Veterans.

He was vice president of the Bartlow Township Historical Society.  He enjoyed watching trains at the Crossroads Park in Deshler, his favorites were the steam trains and military trains.  He enjoyed going to the Findlay Military show in May each year.  Although never married, he enjoyed having coffee with friends throughout the area where they could swap stories of days gone by.  He was a huge NASCAR fan and his favorite driver was Glenn “Fireball” Roberts.

He is survived by his sister and niece, an aunt, Mrs. Delbert Prigge; his friend and caregiver, Sandra (Bill) Shaffer and her family; friend and neighbor, Greg Zoll and many community friends with fond memories of Bill.

A memorial service for Bill will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022 at Feehan-Rodenberger Funeral Home, Deshler where military honors will be accorded by the US Army and the Deshler American Legion Post #316.  Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m., prior to the services.

Memorials in memory of Bill are suggested to any veteran organization.

Messages and memories can be left at www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com

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