William J. Rasavage, longtime resident of Midland, passed away peacefully at Lamun-Lusk Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home on Monday December 8, 2014. Bill was born June 14, 1929 in Wanamie, Pennsylvania to the late John Rasavage and Celeste Zapolski Rasavage. After graduating from Newport High School in 1947, he was recruited to play for aContinue Reading
William J. Rasavage, longtime resident of Midland, passed away peacefully at Lamun-Lusk Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home on Monday December 8, 2014. Bill was born June 14, 1929 in Wanamie, Pennsylvania to the late John Rasavage and Celeste Zapolski Rasavage. After graduating from Newport High School in 1947, he was recruited to play for a nearby AA baseball team. He played one game and hit a triple, a single, and was walked on. Shortly thereafter he joined the U. S. Army. While serving in Germany, he was accepted into Officer Candidate School at Fort Riley, Kansas in 1951. After OCS, he was stationed at Fort Bliss where he met his soul mate Mary Bachicha. They married in El Paso, Texas at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on April 19, 1952. A few days later, he shipped off to the Korean War as a second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant in the field and was awarded the Bronze Star for action seen at White Horse Mountain. In 1953, he returned to El Paso and entered Texas Western College (UTEP). After earning his BBA in 1957, he went to work for Metropolitan Life Insurance. He was promoted to agency manager in 1960 and then advanced to field training instructor in 1962. He earned the Chartered Life Underwriters designation from the American College of Life Underwriters. In 1968 he was promoted to district manager for Metropolitan’s West Texas District. The district served over 15 west Texas counties with offices in Midland, Odessa, and San Angelo. He was a faithful Christian and longtime member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Midland. He was a member of the Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed playing the clarinet and was an avid Houston Astros and Dallas Cowboys fan. He was dearly loved and respected by his family and friends. Proceeded in death by his parents, sister Betty Rasavage Williams, and brother Jerry Rasavage. Mr. Rasavage is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary and two sons, William Paul Rasavage and wife Jennifer of Maple Falls, Washington, and Patrick Rasavage and wife Sandy of Midland, 4 grandchildren, Jenny Rasavage of Maple Falls, Washington, Patricia Beaulieu and husband Mark of Arlington, Washington, William E. Rasavage of Maple Falls, Washington, Keal Rasavage and wife Katie of Lubbock, 5 great-grandchildren, and brother John Rasavage and wife Cynthia of Boise, Idaho. The Rasavage family would like to thank the professionals at Lamun-Lusk Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home and Crossroads Hospice for their wonderful care. Rosary will be at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home on Thursday December 11th at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church on Friday, December 12th at 2:00 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Midland. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be offered at www.npwelch.com,
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