William Thomas ”Bill” Dresler, 96, died at his daughter and son-in-law’s Morgantown home on Sunday, June 14, 2020, after a long illness.
He was predeceased in 2008 by his wife, Jacqueline Mary Dresler after 58 years of marriage. Bill was born in 1923 in Omaha, Neb., son to the late William Bryan and Mary Margaret Dresler.
He graduated from Cathedral Catholic High School, and was proud to achieve the honor of Eagle Scout. He began his life-long hobbies of stamp and coin collecting as a teenager. As a child of the depression era, he also worked to help his family make ends meet. In 1943, Bill enlisted in the Navy, serving as a hospital corpsman (Ensign) with the Marines during his World War II years of service. After his discharge, Bill returned to Creighton University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in business. In 2014, he participated in a WWII Rocky Mountain Honor Flight from Denver to Washington D.C.
In 1950, Bill married Jacqueline Dresler, and they raised five children. These include Patricia (Peter) Schaeffer-Dresler, Tom (Oksana) Dresler, Carolyn Dresler, of Maryland, Jeff (Kim) Dresler and Diane Dresler. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Joseph (Nancy) Schaeffer, Derek Dresler, Julian Dresler, Kathleen (Josh) Obie, Julie Dresler and Beth (Doug) Romoth. His three great-grandchildren are Alexis and Chloe Romoth and Abigail Obie.
Bill and Jackie moved to Denver two years after their marriage, recalling fond memories of their honeymoon in Evergreen, Colo. Bill was a packaging salesman for Packaging Corporation of America and later was an independent packaging broker before retiring.
He was a devout Catholic, and attended Most Precious Blood Church. Bill was active in the Knights of Columbus, Denver Council 539 (for over 60 years), including serving as Grand Knight with great dedication. He also was involved in Republican politics at the local level. Bill enjoyed serving local causes, including stints as an amateur auctioneer for the Buffalo Creek Volunteer Fire Department. Bill played the accordion and loved to sing. He was an enthusiastic member of local singing groups that entertained at senior centers. He delighted in searching out treasures at any garage sale he could find.
In addition to his wife, Bill was predeceased by both his parents and two siblings, his beloved sister, Darlene Daly, and brother, Jerad Dresler.
He is survived by sisters, Sharon Gallagher and Madeleine Sorensen, brother, John Dennis (Debbie) Dresler and numerous nieces and nephews. Because of COVID-19, a prayer service is being live-streamed from St. Luke’s Parish, Cheat Lake on Monday, June 22 at 7 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/stlukemorgantown/live/ 3.
A funeral Mass at a later date will be at Church of the Risen Christ, Denver. Bill will be buried in the Fort Logan Veteran’s Military Cemetery in Denver, together again with his wife Jackie. The family gratefully appreciates the assistance of the dedicated nurses, staff and caregivers at Amedisys Hospice, along with the caring help from Lisa Rouse and Wanda Knotts, with Visiting Homemakers.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Amedisys Hospice, (checks payable to Amedisys Foundation), 5006 Mid-Atlantic Drive, Morgantown, WV 26508 or Denver Knights of Columbus Council 539 (checks made out to Knights of Columbus Council 539, 1450 S. Birch Street, Denver, CO 80222 or online via Venmo at the username @kofc539denver) in his memory would be gratefully appreciated.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
