Date of Birth:
Sunday, November 3, 1935
Date of Death:
Sunday, July 31, 2016
Age:
80 years old

Willis “Bill” Verdick

Willis “Bill” Verdick, 80, of Rochester, Minnesota, died at his lake home in Siren, Wisconsin, on July 31, 2016.

He was born November 3,1935, in Jackson, Minnesota to Henry and Ruth (Willis) Verdick. He attended Jackson High School and graduated in 1953. After graduation, Bill moved to Rochester, MN and worked for Peoples Natural Gas as an Operation Technician, retiring in 1996. On November 3, 1956, he married Alta Mae Nelson at St. Pius Catholic Church in Rochester, Minnesota, and they have four beautiful children – Tim, Tom, Todd, and Ruth. Bill and Alta made their first home in Rochester and then moved to St. Charles and Detroit Lakes before moving back to Rochester where they raised their children.

Bill was a member of the National Guard for 26 years obtaining the rank of 1st sergeant; volunteered for the Detroit Lakes Fire Department as a firefighter and a scuba diver; member of the St. Charles JC’s; Bill also taught fire arm safety. When the boys were young, Bill shared his interest in hockey with them by coaching their teams. He was a talented wood worker and enjoyed waterskiing, scuba diving and teaching his children an appreciation of the outdoors. His greatest times were spent at the lakehome that he built enjoying his family and friends. He was a willing hand to anyone in need. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Alta Verdick; four children, Tim (Candy) Verdick, Rochester, MN, Tom (Dee) Verdick, Faribault, MN, Todd Verdick, Anchorage, AK, and Ruth Salvati, Rochester, MN; seven grandchildren, Stacy (Jeremy) May, Rochester, MN, Matt (Jen) Verdick, Racine, MN, Mollie Verdick (Chris Wagar), Savage, MN, Kayla Verdick, Faribault, MN, Ariel Salvati, Kasson, MN, Clarissa Salvati and Eliza Salvati, Rochester, MN; and three great grandchildren, Zoie, Codie, and Adalida; two sisters, Jackie Meyers and Gwen Mayes; two brothers, Donald and Jay; and by cousins nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Gerry, and Annie Dicks.

A Memorial Service for Bill will be held at 11:30AM on Thursday, August 4, 2016 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with the Rev. Thomas Loomis officiating. Visitation will be 5:00PM – 7:00PM Wednesday, August 3, 2016 in the River Park Chapel and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Military Honors will be provided by American Legion Post 92 following the service at the funeral home.