William F. “Wild Bill” Rasmussen, 96, of Bourbonnais and formerly of Ashkum passed away Thursday, June 27, 2013 at Presence Our Lady of Victory in Bourbonnais following a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton on Wednesday July 3, 2013 at 11:00 a.m., Mr. Donald Gillespie will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4-8 p.m. Burial with military honors by the Ashkum American Legion will be in the Clifton Cemetery. Memorials are for the Family’s Wishes. Please sign his guest register at knappfuneralhomes.com.
Mr. Rasmussen was born on January 25, 1917 in Ashkum, the son of William J. and Carrie Peterson Rasmussen, his parents are deceased. He married the former Emma Chaput in Ashkum on April 6, 1957 and she preceded him in death on October 12, 1990.
Surviving Mr. Rasmussen are four nephews and five nieces, Jerry (Gayle Lamie) Rasmussen of Chebanse, Gary (Paulette) Rasmussen of Fountain, CO, Brian (Kim) Rasmussen of St. Anne, Russell Rasmussen of Chebanse, Diana Torres of Kankakee, Joyce Rasmussen of Kankakee, Janet (Joe) Scroggins of Kankakee, Connie (Don Naese) Rasmussen of Kankakee and Gloria (Joe Simmons) Rasmussen of Kankakee. There are numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, one sister and one step-sister.
Mr. Rasmussen was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Ashkum, the Ashkum American Legion and Central VFW Post 2131. He was a veteran of service with the US Army during WW II. He enjoyed playing bingo and the out of doors. He was a retired trucker and was a long time member of the Ashkum Twp. Fire Dept.