Obituary of William Lowe

William L. Lowe, 60, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Saturday evening, January 28, 2012, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital surrounded by his family. Bill was born December 7, 1951 in Sparta to Ralph and Maurine (Knuth) Lowe. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1970, and later graduated from Mid-State Technical College with a degree in marketing and business. On August 24, 1974, he was united in marriage to Barbara LaLonde at St. Paul?s Ev. Lutheran Church in Wisconsin Rapids. He served his country as a member of the National Guard for 17 years. Bill worked as an independent insurance agent for Lester, Smart, Treml and Arendt and other area agencies. He was passionately involved in the Wisconsin Rapids community; and was on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Rapids Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Wisconsin Rapids Youth Sports Association. Bill had a special love of baseball and softball, having played and coached both sports for many years. He served as the Babe Ruth Ohio Valley Regional Softball Commissioner and was a longtime WIAA softball umpire. Bill was also very involved in bringing the Rafters and Northwoods League Baseball to Wisconsin Rapids. He was a member of BPOE Lodge 693 of Wisconsin Rapids and a past member of the Optimist Club. Bill was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara of Wisconsin Rapids; two daughters: Joan (Aaron) Carroll of Rudolph and Anne (Jacob) Ringer of Wisconsin Rapids; one son, Billy Lowe (Andrew Busch) of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren: Rhiannon Carroll, Gunner Ringer, Nolita Carroll, Audrey Ringer, and Everett Carroll; one brother, Gerald (Sandra) Lowe of Wisconsin Rapids; nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother (Ralph). Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday, January 31st from 3-8 pm and from 10-11 am on Wednesday, February 1st at Faith Reformed Church. Funeral services will be held at Faith Reformed Church in Wisconsin Rapids on Wednesday at 11am. Burial with military rites will be at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in the town of Grand Rapids. A luncheon and celebration of Bill?s life will follow at the Biron Town Hall. A memorial will be established by Bill?s family at a later date. The family would like to thank the staff and doctors at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for their exceptional care.