William H. Rath

LAUREL — Memorial services for William H. Rath, 63, Laurel, will be March 3, at 11 a.m., at the United Lutheran Church, Laurel. Bill died Feb. 20, 2018, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha. Bill was born Nov. 30, 1954, to Kenneth and Pauline Rath, Sr. He attended school in Laurel until the sixth grade when the family moved to Randolph. Bill graduated in 1973 from Randolph High School. He moved to Norfolk where he married and later divorced. Bill had several jobs over the years including Mid-Am Dairy, Fullerton Lumber, Farm and Ranch of Norfolk, BC Manufacturing and Battle Creek Coop, Battle Creek. In 2008, Bill moved back to Laurel and became an active member of the United Lutheran Church. Bill made church a very large part of his life. He worked as a custodian at the Laurel-Concord-Coleridge School, a handyman for many and did lawn care. Bill enjoyed visiting, he loved to tease and could always bring a smile to one’s face. Bill had been an EMT, part-time police officer and a volunteer firefighter while in Battle Creek. He is survived by his children, John Rath, Norfolk, and Mindy Rath, Las Vegas, Nev.; four grandchildren, Brittnie, Ashlynn, Graysen and Kaylee; siblings, Kenneth (Amy) Rath Jr., Pierce; Chris (Lisa) Rath, Randolph; Joy (Brian) Meister, Columbus; and Jimmy (Lori) Rath, Randolph; brother-in-law, Herb Bose, Laurel; and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, paternal and maternal grandparents, a sister, a niece and a nephew.