William Rackley

Rackley, William G. “Red” William “Red” Rackley, 84, of Green Bay passed away May 2, 2011. During World War II, Red proudly served in the Navy aboard the destroyer, U.S.S. Kimberly. He then married Virginia on October 2, 1948. Red traveled throughout the South and Midwest erecting radio towers, which eventually led him to become a Union Journeyman Ironworker, working the high steel trade. As a Bridgeman he helped to build many bridges on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers including the “Mighty Mackinac”, connecting Michigan’s two Peninsulas’. After numerous years of traveling and belonging to several unions in various states he settled in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and became a member of Ironworkers Local #783. Red served as Vice President, Executive Board Member, and Apprenticeship Coordinator while still working as a Journeyman. He was also a welding instructor for Northern Michigan University Skill Center. He volunteered his “old school” rigging talents to local community projects such as the Suicide Ski Jumping scaffold in Ishpeming MI. After retiring from the trades, he along with his wife became co-owners/operators of Moon Lake Motel in Iron Mountain MI. He then moved to the Green Bay area (Allouez) where he worked retirement jobs while enjoying woodworking, woodcarving, gardening, and feeding the birds. Survivors include: Wife: Virginia, Four Children: Vickie (Joe) Yelle, Merrill, WI; Kathy (Jim) Nelson, Ishpeming, MI; Dennis Rackley, Green Bay, WI; Sheila (Ben) Orzel, Hancock, MI; Eight Grandchildren; Rebecca Yelle, Burlington, WI, Thomas Nelson, Ishpeming, MI, Robert (Danielle) Nelson, Drums, PA, Michael (Heather) Nelson, Ishpeming, MI, Lori Jo Nelson, Ishpeming, MI, Adam Rackley, Chicago, IL, Aryne Rackley, Okeechobee, FL, Thomas Orzel, Roseville, MN, Six Great Grandchildren: Sarah and Emily Nelson, Kiara, Haley, and Brady Nelson, and Nathen Nelson, Brother: Dale (Betty) Rackley, Climax, GA. Preceded in death by: Parents: (Jenny Lee & Leslie Earl), Brothers: Earl, Neil, and Oreon. In honor of Red’s wishes private services will be held for the immediate family.

William Rackley

January 1, 1951 - May 2, 2011