William Julius Radisch, Jr.

KERNERSVILLE - William Julius Radisch, Jr., 84, died Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, from complications of pneumonia. Born on Flag Day, June 14, 1927, in Chicago, IL, to William Julius Radisch, Sr. and Dorothy Rosie Leipart Radisch. Although his mother died when he was 14, stepmother Lyda Kendig Radisch loved Bill and his sisters as her own. Bill was born in the family's southside Chicago home. Despite telling his children that he walked 10 miles to school in the snow, it turned out he lived across from his primary school, Altgeld. Upon his 1945 graduation from Harper High, he entered the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1947. He attended Baker University in Baldwin City, KS, where he excelled in math and science and graduated in 1951. Bill then embarked on graduate studies in Physics at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX, but was recruited by a well-established corporation and a fledgling start up. Texas Instruments' loss was the Western Electric Company's gain. Over the course of his 35-year career with Western Electric and AT&T, Bill developed guidance systems for anti-ballistic missiles as part of the United States' and later NATO's missile defense systems. His work took him across the country and around the world, with moves to El Paso, TX; White Meadow Lake, NJ; Kwajalein, Marshall Islands; Winston-Salem and Kernersville, NC; and Lessenich, Germany. In addition, Bill's expertise also required extended trips to Saudi Arabia, and Sardinia, Italy. During his six months in Sardinia, Bill grew to appreciate the Italian isle's embrace of life. The experience, coupled with his 1988 retirement and the arrival of his first grandchild the following year, revealed a more relaxed side of him. Coworkers, friends and family valued Bill's intelligence, passion for politics, and quick wit. He was a problem-solver and knew how to do things right. Not given to wastefulness, Bill provided for his family and was an unparalleled in-home reference for all things. Bill was a founding and active member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, where he served on the vestry, was a lay reader and treasurer. He also served on the Korner's Folly Board of Directors, volunteered with the Kernersville Little Theatre and with the Shepherd's Center of Kernersville, helping launch SeniorNet, and where he was a Board Member Emeritus, and was humbled to be a recipient of the Sonny Simpson Memorial. He was a proud member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. He held a lifelong passion for photography and also enjoyed computers, genealogy, Laurel & Hardy comedies, and dry gin martinis. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters Louise Ender Lange, Shirley Radisch Lexow, and Jacqueline Radisch Riley. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia S. Radisch, of the home; children Deborah Radisch and husband Andy Standen of Apex; William H. Radisch; and Rebekah Radisch and partner Gail Albergo of Durham; grandchildren Carolyn Penry of Columbia, SC, Kathryn Penry of Raleigh, and Malcolm Albergo-Radisch of Durham. Bill also leaves his godson, Glenn Weeks of Cary, along with many extended family members and friends. A Funeral Service will be conducted at 12:00 noon Monday, January 9, 2012 at Saint Matthew's Episcopal Church Kernersville. The family will receive friends following the service. A Committal Service will be held at 2:30 pm in Eastlawn Gardens of Memory Mausoleum Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, PO Box 1173, Kernersville, NC 27285, or the Shepherd's Center, PO Box 2044, Kernersville, NC 27285. ""Over and Out!"" -WJR Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Previous Events

Cemetery Details