William W. Rae

LONGMEADOW - William W. Rae, 93, of Village Green in East Longmeadow passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at the Holyoke Soldier Home. William was born in Chicopee Falls on March 13, 1926, one of seven children to Richard & Margaret (Fox) Rae. He enlisted in the US Navy, serving as a Seaman 1st class aboard the USS Hornet (CV-12). Bill saw action in New Guinea, Palau and Truk among others battles. He was also involved in the Mariana and Palau Islands campaign and the Battle of the Philippine Sea as well as Volcano and Ryukyu Islands campaign in the first half of 1945. He reenlisted and served honorably until 1952. Bill received the WW II Victory Medal, American theatre Ribbon, Asiatic & Pacific Theatre Ribbons, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and a Presidential Unit citation. After returning home, Bill joined Monsanto Chemical, spending over 30 years with them before retirement. He had lived in Longmeadow for many years before moving to East Longmeadow about seven years ago. He was a member of the American Legion Post 275, VFW Post 625 and the Moose Family Lodge all in Chicopee. Bill's wife, Elizabeth Rae passed away in 1992. He was also predeceased by his siblings; Douglas, James and Robert Rae, Dorothy McNamee, Elizabeth McCallum and Mary DeForge and a stepdaughter, Marjorie Hicks. He leaves a sister; Margaret "Peggy" Lukralle. His stepson; Richard Anderson and step son in law, John Hicks and two grandchildren; Hillary and Pamela and a great granddaughter Paige. He leaves many nieces and nephews including Lois Rae Goodwin and her husband James, his caregivers for the past few years and Susan Rae Hubbard. Interment services in Fairview Cemetery in Chicopee will be held at a later date. There are no calling hours. Donations in his memory may be made to the Holyoke Soldiers Home, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, Mass. 01040