Drago, William A. 'Bill' Jr.

William A. “Bill” Drago Jr., 83, of Marion, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at his home. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Bill will be greatly missed by his children and extended family. Survivors include a son, William III (Christine) of Stoughton, Wis.; four daughters, Janet (Heberth) Obando of Anamosa, Melinda (Al) Vance of West Plains, Mo., Melissa (Dennis) Rucker of Algona, and Robin (Felix) Vasquez of Bakersfield, Calif.; and two brothers, Dan Drago of Winterhaven, Fla., and Jack Drago of Homestead, Fla.

He is also survived by 16 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and five Ethiopian exchange students, Negash Belay of Gaithersburg, Md., Tesfay Asmelash of Alexandria, Va., Tsegay Sebhat of San Jose, Calif., Yigsaw Belay of Nashville, Tenn., and Seyoum Belay of Minneapolis, Minn.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife, Esther.

Bill was born Oct. 17, 1926, in Birmingham, Ala., the son of Bill & Annabelle (Watters) Drago, and the stepson of Hazel Drago. He graduated from Drury College with a degree in electrical engineering. He also served in the U.S. Navy. Bill married Esther Thurman on June 2, 1950, in Cedar Rapids. He retired from Square D/Schneider Electric and enjoyed farming until his death.

Memorial donations may be given to the People's Church, American Cancer Society or the Salvation Army, in Bill's memory.