William B. Raufer, a long-time Quincy, IL resident, died Monday (Nov. 23, 2009) in Raleigh, N.C.

Bill was born Aug. 22, 1922, in St. Louis to William G. and Mary T. Raufer. He was raised in Bowling Green, Mo., and earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning the rank of master sergeant. During his time at Mizzou, he met Mary Jane Swift and they married in June 1948. They had three sons.

His early career took him to Des Moines, Iowa, with Meredith Publishing, then to Chicago with Quaker Oats Co. He moved to Quincy in 1952 with Moorman’s Manufacturing Co. and retired in 1984 after many years as the company’s advertising manager.

Bill and Mary Rose Warinner were married in 1970, each bringing three children to the marriage (never a dull moment!). Bill and Mary Rose retired in 1984 and soon moved to North Carolina. During “retirement.” Bill worked for 20 years as a free-lance writer for various publications, mainly in the agricultural industry. They loved North Carolina. Bill was known as someone who truly never met a stranger and enjoyed helping others. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by sons, Mark Raufer of Springfield, Ill., Tom (Linda) Raufer of Bloomington and Eric (Cathy) Raufer of Bloomington; and stepchildren, Kathy (Bob Aufuldish) Warinner of San Anselmo, Calif., Robert Andrew (Wiweka) Warinner of Geneva, Switzerland, and Sarah Allen of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Mary Rose recently preceded him in death on Nov. 5, 2009.

Bill had been a member of NAMA since 1963, when it was still just the Chicago Area Agricultural Advertising Association. Bill also received the R.C. Ferguson Award in 1985.

SERVICES: Following his wishes, cremation rites were accorded. No services are planned at this time. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.