William G. Rau

Frankenmuth, MI

William George (Bill) Rau went to be with his Lord on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at Winter Village in Frankenmuth; age 82 years. Bill was born in Frankenmuth, MI to the late Oscar and Evelyn (Schian) Rau on May 17, 1941. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth. Bill graduated from Frankenmuth High School in 1959, worked for his father at Oscar Rau Electric while he was attending Delta College and married Lillie Abraham on May 11, 1963. Lillie predeceased Bill on October 24, 2006. On May 28th of 1964 Bill and his father, Oscar, created Rau's Country Store, the business which Bill would develop and grow for the next 40 years. He sold the business in November of 2004. Bill finished his college work from Ferris State College in 1971 with a degree in accounting. Bill married Doris (Umbach) Gruber Rau on November 27, 2010.

Bill's accounting degree and experience with numbers presented him with many opportunities to offer tax and accounting services to many area businesses. He was "one of the Tadricks of Frankenmuth". Bill's many interests and affiliations included membership in The Deuces, Frankenmuth's progressive automobile club; President and volunteer in the Frankenmuth Historical Association-Board of Trustees; Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce Member/Volunteer "1st Knight"; Civic Events Council Board Member; Frankenmuth Foundation, President; 2003 Herbert L. Keinath Distinguished Service Award Recipient; Frankenmuth Noon Rotary Club member/treasurer and St. John's Lutheran Church treasurer.

As a collector of coins since the age of 10, Bill's numismatic passion sustained him as a member of the American Numismatic Association for 60 years. He volunteered at the American Numismatic Association's Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library receiving a Medal of Merit from the ANA in Baltimore, MD in 2008. Bill's specialty as a numismatist included US pattern coins, Michigan banknotes and coin auction catalogs. Bill loved his family, church, classical music, computer, and accounting. His kindness and willingness to be of help to family and all of the organizations of which he was a member will long be remembered and cherished by all who knew Bill.

Surviving Bill are his wife, Doris (Umbach) Rau, of Frankenmuth, MI; his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa Rau-Reece and Patrick Reece of Frankenmuth, MI; grandchildren, Kalika Reece, of Boston, MA and, Kaleb Reece, of Frankenmuth, MI; step-daughters Sue Gruber of Lodi, CA and Lynne (Ron) Neike of Pickerington, OH; step-grandchildren KaraBeth (Patrick) O'Grady of Columbus, OH and Corbin (Jennifer) Neike of Blacklick, OH; step-great grandchildren Jude and Jolene Neike and Jack and Siobhan O'Grady; two brothers, Richard (Dick) Rau of Crossville, TN and Raymond (Louise) Rau of Oakland Township, MI; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

William G. Rau was preceded in death by his loving wife of 43 years, Lillie Rau, his two sisters Peggy (George) Hill and Jeannette (Ed "Bud") Adams, sister-in-law Doris Rau, nephews Thomas Hill, Stephen and Joseph Rau.

The family wants to say many thanks to the staff who took care of Bill Rau: Covenant Glen, Advisa Care, Winter Village, and First State Home Health & Hospice Care.

Memorial service will take place on March 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 3455 S. Van Buren Road, Richville, Michigan. Rev. Mark Auernhamer will officiate. William's family will receive visitors at Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590. N. Franklin St. on March 8th from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on March 9th at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Lutheran Special Education Ministries (LSEM) or Alzheimer's Association.