On the evening of March 6, 2016, with family and close friends present, William “Bill” Fergus Rauch, Jr., age 77, died peacefully after a long illness and a brief stay at Rocky Mountain Care Center in Helena, Montana. Bill was born October 9, 1938 in Elmhurst, Illinois to William F. and Ruth E. (Pearson) Rauch. As the eldest son, Bill helped his dad with his younger brothers David and Randy following the death of his mother from leukemia in 1954. After graduating from York High School in Elmhurst, Bill attended Montana State College in Bozeman, participating in the ROTC program and graduating in 1960 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, he accepted his first job at Mountain Bell Telephone Company.
Bill married Ellen Braughton on August 19, 1961 in her hometown of Big Timber, Montana. They moved to Alton, Illinois, and Bill served in the U.S. Army in St. Louis, Missouri as a communications and logistics specialist supporting the war in Vietnam for several years. After his discharge from active duty, Bill continued his career with Mountain Bell in Helena, Montana in 1963. Bill stayed with the telephone company in Helena for over 30 years, as the company itself moved through numerous name changes, with Bill eventually becoming Network Director of 14 states. During his time with the telephone company he also earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado. He and Ellen welcomed their daughter Shannon into their family in 1967, followed by their son Brian in 1970. After moving to Flathead Lake near Polson, Montana in the early 1990s, Bill was employed as a General Manager with Mission Valley Power and as Engineering Manager at Flathead Electric Co-op before his retirement in 1997. Following their retirement, Bill and Ellen became migratory snowbirds and established a second home in Casa Grande, Arizona.
Bill lived a full and active life and was proud of his avocation as an engineer, serving as Secretary and as Vice President of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). He obtained a pilot’s license and used his flying skills to take his family on numerous adventures. Building a cabin at Canyon Ferry Lake allowed Bill and his family to enjoy fishing, boating, water skiing, and recreating with a wide circle of friends for many years, a tradition that continued at the Flathead Lake house. Boating around Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake was always a must, searching the hills for big horn sheep and the elusive wild horses or scanning the tops of scraggly trees for eagles and osprey. Rest and relaxation for Bill and his friends and family were always necessary after participating in one of his legendary home improvement projects.
During vacations from work and overseeing the family hay and horse ranch on Sierra Road in Helena, Bill also looked forward to trips into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with his hunting buddies, big game hunting in Alaska or deep-sea fishing off the coast of Washington, escaping to one of Montana’s downhill ski slopes, or to snorkeling and scuba diving in Hawaii with his family. In retirement, he was always looking for a chance to get in a round of golf on the shores of Flathead Lake or in the Arizona desert. Bill dearly loved his four grandchildren, and took great pleasure in watching them grow into kind and generous young people.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Ruth, and by his stepmothers Helen and Evelyn. He is survived by his wife Ellen; brothers David and Randy; daughter Shannon (Mark) Walker and son Brian (Heidi); and grandchildren Elijah and Brynn Walker, and Peyton and Ella Rauch.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2016 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue, Helena, with a reception following in the Social Center of the funeral home. Memorials may be sent to Wild Horse Island State Park at Montana State Parks Foundation, 307 Spokane Avenue, Whitefish, MT, 59937 or www.montanastateparksfoundation.org; the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, P.O. Box 190688, Hungry Horse, MT, 59919; or to the Montana State University College of Engineering, P.O. Box 173820, Bozeman, MT, 59717-3820.
To offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Bill please visit below.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
3:30 p.m.
Friday March 25, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service,
Friday March 25, 2016
Social Center of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
3:30 p.m.
Friday March 25, 2016
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Immediately following the memorial service,
Friday March 25, 2016
Social Center of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana 59602
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Bob & Merle Korizek says
Ellen and Family, We were very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. It seems like only yesterday when you lived on Winne. The telephone picnics at your Canyon Ferry Lake cabin, and many more “Telephone” functions too many to mention. May God give you strength in the weeks ahead.
Lee & Liz Andrews says
Ellen and family,
We were greatly saddened to learn of Bill’s recent passing.
There are so many fond memories of all the things we did together over the years. Hunting trips with Bill, from Red Mountain to McLeod, the annual spring fishing at the lake, socializing at the cabin, the many activities as our families were growing up, and so many varied and interesting projects together. You were wonderful friends and neighbors.
We still refer to your original house across the corner from ours as the “Rauch’s house”, and always will. You have our heartfelt sympathy.
Kellie Caussyn Brindley says
I have so many memories with this family I don’t even know where to start. Lake,skiing,tree hunting,horses, Shannon jumping in the lake with no top. Haha . I grew up with Bill and will alway cherish every moment. Love all of this family.
Rich Munger says
Ellen, I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. It’s been many, many years since I’ve seen either of you. I’ll never forget that Bill introduced me to martinis way back in the early sixties. Your old neighbor on California street just north of Winne.
Bridger veterinary hospital says
Shannon and family, We are so sorry to hear about your dad’s passing. I remember how he and your mom supported all of the kids in and out of 4-H. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Keith Stav and Sharlene Goodman Stav
Diz says
So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers. Love you, Diz
Marg/Don says
Dear Ellen,sorry for your loss.We remember the good times and the great games of golf with you both and all our mutual friends. Know we are thinking about and your family and we send our love Marg and Don Banks
Floyd and Joyce Booren says
And in the end, It’s not the years in your life that count, It’s the life in your years.
What a beautiful, full life Bill has had. We have so many fond memories of the
two of you, and we will never forget all the good times we had at Tierra Grande.
We send our love and blessings to you and your family during this time of sadness.
Elsie McLaren says
Dear Ellen, I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, he will be greatly missed by old friends and new friends from Tierra Grande. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Bob & Joyce Pook says
Dear Ellen
We are do sorry to hear of the passing of Bill. We are thinking of you.
Casa Grande… Joyce & Bob Pook
Alana LaRock says
Ellen and family. Larry and I are so sorry to learn of Bill’s passing. Our prayers are with all of you. We certainly cherish our memories of fun times at Canyon Ferry in years passed. Larry and Alana LaRock
Steve Schaeffer says
Shannon and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thought and prayers are with you.
Steve Schaeffer
Denny and Barb Pageler says
Denny and Barb Pageler
Ellen and family. Barb and I are deeply saddened to hear of Bill’s death. Bill and I grew to become very good friends and I always treasured the time we spend together at work, traveling and leisure. Although Barb only knew Bill and Ellen a very short time she too viewed the two of you as good friends. Our visits to your lake house and the golf outing were very special. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family.
Gordy & Judy Harder says
Ellen & Family,
We are so very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing….he will be missed by many.
We will always remember the “good times” golfing and just visiting together
that was the “fun times” in Tierra Grande.
May God’s Peace and Love be with all of you, know that Our thoughts and
prayers are with each of you.
Barney & Jeanne Brill says
Ellen, family and friends,
Barney and I are so grateful to have known Bill. He was such a great guy and so full of fun and adventure. His suffering was great, but we know his rewards shall be greater. Rest vIn Oeace, Dear Friend. We are honored to have been a friend. Our memories will last to eternity.
Rosemary and Chuck Jacoby says
Ellen: Because of my Delta Gamma friendship with you and Meg’s friendship with Shannon, our family has known your family for a very long time. We were very saddened to learn of Bill’s death. He and you brought much happiness into the lives of all who knew you., and you raised a wonderful family. Your loss will be shared by many. Love and prayers, Rosemary and Chuck Jacoby
Jim Sampson says
Ellen and family,
I am sorry to hear of Bill’s passing, he was a good friend and mentor to me. May your memories bring you comfort at this difficult time. My thoughts and prayer are with you.