Howie, William L.

William L. Howie, 76, of River Falls, Wis., formerly of Monticello, died Monday, Aug. 13, 2012 at his home following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at .

Surviving is his wife, Sharon, of River Falls; three children, Ann Marie (Dennis) Stedman, Maplewood, Minn., Ralph (Erinn) Robovsky, Vadnais Heights, Minn., and Robert Howie, River Falls, Wis.; five grandchildren; his sister, Jean Marie Reiter, Cascade; brother-in-law, John Ripperton; and sister - in-law, Joyce (Jay) Oehlerich.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Larry (Pepper) Howie; a sister, Joan Howie Richards; his mother and father-in-law, Tim and Minta Ripperton; and brothers-in-law, Lonnie, Forrest and Chuck Ripperton.

William L. Howie was born July 26, 1936, at Monticello, Iowa. He was the son of Lynn and Antoinette Nordman Howie. He graduated from Sacred Heart School in 1954. Bill served in the United States Army from 1959 to 1961 and was stationed in Germany. William Howie and Sharon Ripperton were married on Sept. 22, 1967, at Galena, Ill. Bill was employed at the Anamosa State Penitentiary and later at Iowa Prison Industries. He retired in 1998. The couple moved to River Falls, Wis., in 1999. He worked part time at Country Club in River Falls.

Bill served on the Monticello Park Board for many years. He was active in all things baseball, playing with the town team Monticello Cubs, Little League, doing stats for high school baseball, PA announcer at games and organized baseball tournaments. He was an avid Detroit Tiger fan as well as the Lions, Pistons and Red Wings.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 15, 2012.