William B. Starkey

William B. Starkey, 93 of Centuria, WI; formerly of St. Paul, passed away 9/27/13. William was born on May 3, 1920 in Forest Lake, Minnesota the son of William and Anna (Weinmann) Starkey.

William was raised on St. Paul’s east side.  He graduated from Johnson High School in 1939.  He was a WWII Veteran having served in the United States Army from 1941-1945 in the First Armored Division. He married Catherine Strub in 1945 and was a loving and devoted husband.   He worked for American Can Company for 42 years.  He was a past member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in St. Paul where he served as an usher, and a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake.  William loved spending time with his family, wood working, and pontoon rides on Long Lake.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Catherine, daughter-in-law Bonnie Starkey, great grandson Brendan Dobson, brother John Starkey, sisters Lucille Merrick and Bernice Keaney. He is survived by his children: Colleen (Bob) Bachmeier, Bill Starkey, Barb (Chuck) Webb, Tom (Kathy) Starkey, Joe (Denise) Starkey, Mary (Joe) Woehrle, Cathy (Mark) Kenney, Marty (Sue) Starkey, 35 grandchildren and 46 great grandchildren and other loving family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 11:30 A.M. at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin.  William’s family will greet visitors from 9:30 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. at the church on Thursday.  Following the Mass the family would like to invite their guests to join them for fellowship and lunch in the church fellowship hall.

William will be laid to rest alongside his wife at Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, October 4, 2013 with full military honors. Casket bearers will be his grandsons, Ben Starkey, Zach Starkey, Michael Woehrle, Gus Kenney, David Bachmeier and Tom Starkey.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.