William "Bill" E. Rauch's Obituary
William "Bill" E. Rauch, 83 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on July 23, 2023 at de Greeff Hospice House, St. Louis, MO. He was born August 12, 1939, in Belleville, IL.
Bill was a retired police officer with the city of Columbia, IL. He had been a volunteer and was the past director for the Columbia EMS. He was a volunteer with Equus Horse Rescue, Millstadt, IL. Bill was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, IL.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia A., nee Garris, Rauch, who he married on June, 19, 1999. His children, Christopher (Karen) Rauch of Imperial, MO, Jennifer (Dan) Lilly of Downs, IL, Shelly Seals of Columbia, IL, and Sherri (Craig) Mayer of Columbia, IL; grandchildren, A. J. Wagner, Morgan Seals, Jack Mayer, Cole Mayer, Brianna Lilly, and Matthew Lilly; bonus grandchildren, Jackson, Eleanor, Vivian and Beatrice Seals; beloved cat Spammie; along with other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Emma, nee Lindeman, Rauch; grandson Trey Wagner.
Visitation will be Thursday, July 27, 2023, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Leesman Funeral Home, Columbia, IL and Friday, July 28, 2023 10:00 am - 11:00 am at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, IL. Funeral services will follow visitation at 11:00 am at church with Pastor Jonathan Bangera, officiating. Interment will follow in the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia, IL.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. Paul United Church of Christ, 127 N. St. Paul Columbia, IL 62236, Backstoppers, 10411 Clayton Road, Ste: 203, St. Louis, MO 63131, or de Greeff Hospice House, 10016 Kennerly Rd., St. Louis, MO 63128. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
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