WILLIAM DRESSER

Bill Dresser, 86, of the town of Menasha, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, August 30, 2010. Bill was born on August 30, 1924, in Antigo, the son of the late Dr. Harry Brooks and Margaret (Biendarra) Dresser. Bill was baptized and confirmed at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church. He attended the Antigo Public Schools through his sophomore year in high school when he moved to Menasha upon the marriage of his mother to Frank Raddu. Bill graduated from Menasha High School in May of 1942 and started work at the George Banta Company as an apprentice linotype operator the following week. Bill continued to work the night shift which enabled him to attend Lawrence University during the day. He enlisted in the United States Navy and taught radar and electronics. He was honorably discharged in July of 1946 and returned to his job at Banta as well as Lawrence for his studies. He became a member of their Phi Delta Theta social fraternity. In the fall of 1948, he received his Journeymans Certificate from Bantas and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa scholastic fraternity at Lawrence. Bill graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lawrence in June 1949 and was then invited to start in the office at Banta at that time. During his 43 ½ years with Banta, he held many positions, ending as Corporate Vice-President in charge of manufacturing, when he retired in August 1985. Bill was very involved in community service. He served on the Neenah Public Librarys Board of Trustees for 39 years and as treasurer and member-at-large on the Fox River Areas Girl Scout Council for several years. Bill also served on the Councils Finance Committee for many years. Following his retirement, he was a tax preparer for AARP. Bill was also active in his church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Menasha, serving as treasurer and as a lector and counter. Bill was very active in the Masonic Fraternity. He served as Master of his Lodge, High Priest of his Royal Arch Chapter, T.I.M. of his Council and Commander of his Commandery of Knights Templar. He also served many years as Patron of his Eastern Star Chapter and was a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, the Red Cross of Constantine and the K.Y.C.H. Bill was involved with the Scottish Rite bodies serving as head of the Princes of Jerusalem and Commander of the Consistory. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award and the 33 Degree. Bill was a life member of the Tripoli Shrine in Milwaukee and an associate member of Beja Shrine in Green Bay. He was a member of the Winnebagoland Shrine Club, the Royal Order of Scotland and the Royal Order of Jesters. He was also a life member of the American Legion and the BPOE Elks. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol; two daughters: Susan (Bruce) Marshall, Phillips, WI, and Mary Dresser, Walland, TN; an A.F.S. daughter, Monica (Ronald) Birks, Asuncion, Paraguay, S.A.; three grandchildren: Andy, Will and Maureen Marshall; a sister, Pat (Doug) Wiatrowski, Menasha; a brother, Bob (Imogene) Raddu, Powell, TN; a brother-in-law, George (Ardis) Leichsenring, Oak Ridge, TN; several nieces and nephews, including Nicole (Ray) Ferry, Glen Burnie, MD, Bills god-daughter, and Dan (Kelli) Miller, Austin, MN; and his cat, Ginger, and his six grandcats. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Frank Raddu, and stepfather, Herb Dorow, a step-sister, Caroline Raddu Felde and a brother-in-law, James Leichsenring. The Memorial Service for Bill will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 4, 2010 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church with Fr. Ralph Osborne officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of service. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bills honor may be made to the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve, the Dresser Family Scholarship Fund at Lawrence, the Neenah Public Library, the Shriners Childrens Hospitals and St. Thomas Episcopal Church or to any charity of your choice.