| Graduation Year | Class of 1983 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 30, 2021 |
| About | Ralph (Bill) W. Raesly was born at Homestead Air Force Base in Homestead Florida on September 21, 1964, where he was baptized as Catholic. As an Air Force child, he moved to Chanute Air Force base, lived a year in Sault Ste. Marie Michigan while his father was in Vietnam and settled in Oscoda Michigan in 1969. As a child he played youth football and basketball and later played football for the Oscoda Owls High School team. He also loved to fish and was known to pull salmon out of the AuSable River with his bare hands. In 1986 Ralph reconnected with his first love, Sonya Dew, who he married and created a family and home within Quitman Mississippi. Behind the tough exterior was a person who never hesitated to help anyone in need and was known to rescue stray dogs or cats and bring them home. He loved any kind of family time: walks in the park, rollerblading in the dark, working on home projects, camping, ballgames, barbequing, and movie night. He worked at New South Ford for 24 years as a professional Auto Technician earning many ASE Certifications and was honored as a Master Mechanic in 2015. Ralph was loved by all that truly knew him and was a wonderful husband, father, son, and brother whom will be dearly missed. Ralph is survived by his wife Sonya Raesly, his son Richard S. Raesly IV, his daughter Candace Higgins (Duane Higgins), his brother Richard S. Raesly III (Tina Raesly), his sister Kelly Tydings, his granddaughters Isabella Raesly, Avery Higgins, Allie Mosley, Hannah Higgins, his grandson Austin Higgins, his mother and father -in- law Perry and Bettye Dew, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Carole Raesly. Due to Covid and at his request there will not be a memorial service, but Bill would love it if you would donate to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude's Children Hospital. |
