Ruscher, William Warren (Bill), 85, of Largo, Florida, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Sunday April 17, 2016.
William was born in Mount Vernon, New York on March 10, 1931. He graduated from Davis High School and went on to graduate from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey with a degree in Agriculture. After graduation he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Air Force where he served as a ROTC instructor and navigator on a C-124. His service included tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War and deployment for the Pueblo Incident with North Korea. He proudly served from 1953-1974, rising to the rank of Major.
William was married to Donna Hawkins and raised his family in Katonah, New York. He was the successful owner of Halstead Distributing. After he was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1974, William moved his family to Clearwater, Florida where he started his own lawn and landscaping business. In his spare time you could always find him either fishing or working on his train set. William was loved by family and friends and will genuinely be missed by all.
William is predeceased by his wife, Donna, and his oldest daughter, Pamela Soderlund (Cross River, New York). He is survived by his four other children, Dawn Ruane ofStewartsville, New Jersey, Lori Skaggs of Ketchikan, Alaska, Greg Ruscher of Largo, Florida and Carla Olson of Clearwater, Florida, eleven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.
William will be cremated and his remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, with date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations be made to Suncoast Hospice.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks for the wonderful care given to their father by the Suncoast Hospice staff. We appreciate everything you did and the support given to the family.
Thoughts and prayers Dawn to you and your family ! Love You Karen and Terry!
Dawn my thoughts are with you I am sending love and hugs
My condolences to his family.
To the Ruscher family,
The memories of many good times and holidays spent with Bill will last throughout my life. My deepest sympathies to family and friends.
Joan and Ed Beinor
Our deepest sympathy to you Dear Dawn and family. You will be in our thoughts and prayers
Love,
The Halls
Just learned about Bill. Our thoughts are with you at this very sad time. Our friendship with your parents dates back to 1954 at Larson Air Force Base (now grant County Airport) Washington. We had such a good time with your parents with weekly dinner and bridge until the wee hours of the morning. Donna and Lois played partners in bridge at the Officers Club and did very well. Soon after I left the Air Force in 1956 your parents visited us in Greeley, Colorado. We stayed in touch all those years and attended Pam’s wedding in New York. Lori, you and your mom, aunt and uncle visited in late 80’s or early 90’s in California. We were just in Ketchikan in July and wish we had known you were there. At this age we think back at all those good and happy times we shared, and it is with great sadness that we bid farewell to old friends. How very sad we are. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and God Bless all of you.