William R. Rassel¹ (M)
b. 1 October 1924, d. 25 January 1984
Pedigree
Family_Line=N

     William R. Rassel was born on 1 October 1924, son of Peter Rassel and Unknown Rassel.^1,2 He was graduated in 1941 from Mt Carmel High School, Chicago, Illinois.³ He began military service in 1943 with the at US Army He was trained at Scott Field, Illinois.³ Bill Rassel visted with his brother Bob in April 1943.⁴ He was stationed as a radio operator on a C-47 aircraft from 1944 to 1945 at Troop Transport Command, Ninth Air Force, Spanhoe. Bill took part in the D-Day Normandy invasion wherein his C-47 carried airborne troops.^3,5 He and Robert Rassel were gathered for Bill's homecoming in May 1944 at Chicago, Illinois.⁵ He was in his C-47 aircraft over Holland in September 1944.⁵ He was awarded the Air Medal in January 1945.³ Bill posed with his aircraft in March, 1945.⁴ When discharged from the service in 1945, Bill had earned several awards during his service. For details of European operations by Troop Carrier Groups see the book "Into The Valley" it is the story of USAAF Troop Carrier in World War II, by Col. Charles H. Young, war-time commander of the 439th TC Group. This 616-page book contains first-hand accounts of the airborne assault missions that spearheaded the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Southern France, Holland, the Rhine River crossing into Germany, and others. Included also are detailed maps and more than 600 quality photos. This is the web site for the book: http://www.usaaftroopcarrier.com/.⁵

William married Genevieve A. Granich, daughter of Philip Martin Granich and Zora Granich, on 19 June 1948 at St Francis deSales Catholic Church, 102nd Street & Ewing Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.¹ He was a television service technician with his own business from 1950 to 1972 at 79th and Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.⁴ At age 25, William became the father of Linda Marie Rassel on 25 May 1950 at Chicago.¹ At age 27, William became the father of Barbara Jean Rassel on 15 April 1952 at Chicago.¹ At age 30, William became the father of William Peter Rassel on 16 December 1954 at Chicago.¹ At age 35, William became the father of Richard Philip Rassel on 21 February 1960.¹ At age 39, William became the father of JoAnne Theresa Rassel on 10 October 1963.¹ He was a television service technician with his own business from 1972 to 1984 at Suburban Stereo and TV, Pebblewood Plaza, South Holland, Illinois.⁴ Bill moved his TV service business out of Chicago to South Holland because robberies and local violence.⁴ He was ill with a stroke in 1980.⁴ He died from lung clot complications after hip surgery on 25 January 1984 at North Western Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, at age 59.^1,4 He was buried on 28 January 1984 in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery located in Calumet City, Illinois.⁵

Last Edited=11 Aug 2006