1929
William
2013
William M. Rye
October 19, 1929 — August 1, 2013
Sioux City - William "Bill, Rock" Rye, 83, of Santa Rosa, Calif., formerly of Sioux City, passed away Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in Santa Rosa after a long struggle with COPD (emphysema).
Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bertrand officiating. Graveside services will be at 1:15 p.m. Friday in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Kingsley, Iowa, with the Rev. Stoll officiating. The public is welcome and encouraged to come celebrate William’s life.
Bill was born on Oct. 19, 1929, the adopted son of Morton Adler Rye and Margret F. Rye (Roberts). He graduated from Trinity Catholic High School in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and returned home to Sioux City upon discharge in 1952. He then attended Morningside College for a semester after returning from military service. Bill was a career railroad employee, working as a switchman and brakeman for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 40 years. He retired in 1992 and relocated to the Denver, Colo., area to be closer to his son. In the last 20 years, Bill resided in several wonderful locations, including Colorado, Arizona, and both the Central Coast and Bay Areas of California.
Bill married Joan Claire Murray on Aug. 31, 1963, in Sioux City. He was happily married until Joan’s tragic and untimely death from cancer in 1981.
A lifelong sports fan, Bill was a skilled bowler and avid golfer during his days in Sioux City. He was a sharp-shooting billiards player, spending countless hours in recent decades demonstrating his skills at several local senior centers. In later years, Bill spent much time attending family sporting events. A proud union member (UTU), William supported progressive causes throughout his life. Bill enjoyed travel, visiting most areas of the USA, as well as several trips to Canada and Europe.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph William and Nataliya Y. Rye of Santa Rosa, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Anastasiya N, Daniil J, and Akseniya C Rye of Santa Rosa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Joan Claire (Murray) Rye.
Memorial Service will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, with the Rev. Bertrand officiating. Graveside services will be at 1:15 p.m. Friday in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Kingsley, Iowa, with the Rev. Stoll officiating. The public is welcome and encouraged to come celebrate William’s life.
Bill was born on Oct. 19, 1929, the adopted son of Morton Adler Rye and Margret F. Rye (Roberts). He graduated from Trinity Catholic High School in 1948. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and returned home to Sioux City upon discharge in 1952. He then attended Morningside College for a semester after returning from military service. Bill was a career railroad employee, working as a switchman and brakeman for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 40 years. He retired in 1992 and relocated to the Denver, Colo., area to be closer to his son. In the last 20 years, Bill resided in several wonderful locations, including Colorado, Arizona, and both the Central Coast and Bay Areas of California.
Bill married Joan Claire Murray on Aug. 31, 1963, in Sioux City. He was happily married until Joan’s tragic and untimely death from cancer in 1981.
A lifelong sports fan, Bill was a skilled bowler and avid golfer during his days in Sioux City. He was a sharp-shooting billiards player, spending countless hours in recent decades demonstrating his skills at several local senior centers. In later years, Bill spent much time attending family sporting events. A proud union member (UTU), William supported progressive causes throughout his life. Bill enjoyed travel, visiting most areas of the USA, as well as several trips to Canada and Europe.
Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Joseph William and Nataliya Y. Rye of Santa Rosa, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Anastasiya N, Daniil J, and Akseniya C Rye of Santa Rosa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife, Joan Claire (Murray) Rye.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William M. Rye, please visit our flower store.
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