William Bernard “Bill” Otto
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Age:
91 years old
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Age:
91 years old
Wednesday, February 26, 1930
Date of Death:
Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Age:
91 years old
William Bernard “Bill” Otto
William Bernard “Bill” Otto of Rochester, MN, suffered briefly with esophageal cancer and died at the age of 91, comfortably at his home in the care of family on February 9, 2022. Bill was born in Manitowoc, WI, on February 26, 1930. His parents were Alfred and Mary (Schuh) Otto Spehar.
Bill married Joan Dombrowski on November 6, 1954, at Sacred Heart Church in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. They had six children, Eileen Klema, Steven, Richard, Carl, Gretchen Otto Pimentel, Carolyn Enestvedt, 16 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He loved Joan and his family.
His family also includes his sister Jane Mahlik, late brother-in-law Ray Dorn, and the Green Bay Packers.
Bill served as a radioman in the U.S. Navy aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Vesole DDR878, primarily in the Mediterranean Sea. He then graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He worked in development laboratories for 33 years at Sandia Corporation in Albuquerque, NM, and IBM in Poughkeepsie, NY and Rochester, MN.
Bill thoroughly enjoyed his friends in the Navy, at work, at St. Pius Church, hunting and fishing buddies, team sports, golf, Channel One, Christmas Anonymous, and Golden-K Kiwanis.
A memorial Mass for Bill will be held at 11am, Thursday, February 17, 2022, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, with Rev. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester, MN.
Condolences
The family of William Bernard “Bill” Otto has received the following condolences.
Dear Joan and Family.
Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Bill was a very special guy! Hope he's enjoying singing in the heavenly choir.
Nancy Silvernail
We offer our condolence to Joan and family. I met Bill many years ago at IBM.
He and Joan mentored Marge and I into winter RV camping in Texas.
Bill played on the RV Park baseball team. While as an outfielder, with the sun glare in his eyes, he misjudged catching a high fly ball. I took him to the Hospital ER. We had other adventures along the way.
Wayne and Marge Casanova
12575 Pleasant Ave, apt 220, Burnsville, MN 55337
We were so sorry to hear about Bills passing. We have many happy memories of our old “neighbor “ and all his stories! Such a good story teller! Our prayers and hugs for all of you.
Joan and Family,
Blessings as you mourn Bill’s death and celebrate his life. I so enjoyed your family growing up. You always welcomed me to your home fun and food. I guess this is our time as my family bids farewell to my mom who died on February 12. Hello to all from the Cronin Family.
Sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I got to know Bill at IBM working with him. My prayers are with you and with your family. He will be missed.
We had the honor of getting to know Bill through the USS Vesole Association Reunions many years ago. Bill was always so much fun n those trips.
Fair winds and following seas Bill.
Joe and Karen Labbadia
Richard and family-
So sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. May your sorrow be lifted in the knowledge that he is in heaven. You are in my thoughts and prayers in the the upcoming days.
Rich & Family,
Please, accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. I could only imagine what you and your family must be going through. Although, I did not get a chance to know him personally, I am pretty certain that he led a meaningful life spreading his wisdom and light to people he came in contact with. May the creator of the universe rest his soul in heaven.
Mohammed Z Haque (IBM)
I was very sorry to hear that Bill had died. I have fond memories of singing in the St. Pius X choir with Bill and Joan. When I was 13, I obtained an amateur (ham) radio license. Bill, knowing of my interest and being a ham radio operator himself, was kind enough to give me a set of Navy surplus radio gear he had owned. This allowed me to pursue this fascinating hobby for several years. I will never forget his kindness and encouragement.
If ice fishing exists somewhere in heaven, I'm sure that Bill Otto and Bill Miller have already cut a hole or two and have dropped their lines!
With prayers and sincerest condolences,
Dan Vick, MD
God Bless you, Mr. Otto. Rest In Peace.
To the family of Mr. W. B. Otto. With deepest sympathy as you remember Mr. Otto. May the Lord surround you with comfort and support. Condolences from the Jordan Family.
Otto family,
My heartfelt sympathy to you all. I know my dad really enjoyed working at channel one beside your dad. He also always appreciated when your dad stopped to visit him as he was battling lung cancer. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers