WILLIAM E. RABER 

William E. (Bill) Raber, husband of Rose Ann Floyd Raber passed away October 26, 2012 at home in Beaufort, SC. He was the son of the late William B. and Irene Radics Raber. He was born March 14, 1933 in South Bend, IN. Bill grew up in Granger, IN where he attended Washington Clay High School.

One day he and some school friends decided to go see the movie, Sands of Iwo Jima, starring John Wayne. John Wayne was a great recruiter for the Marine Corps, so when Bill got home he told his parents that the Marine Corps was for him, thus in the summer of 1950 Bill became a recruit on Parris Island.

Upon graduating as a private first class, he was transferred to Camp Lejeune, NC. He wasn't there long before he moved on to South Korea to join the war effort, serving two tours. 1956 found him back at Parris Island, this time as a Drill Instructor. Bill always said that was a rewarding tour as that is where he met his bride-to-be. They were married March 24, 1957. As with most Marines, it was only natural that he should serve some time on the island of Okinawa, 15 long months. After a 15 month tour at Quantico, VA, Bill received orders to Saipan, Marianna Islands where he worked with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The family was allowed to accompany him and after 7 short months they moved to Saigon, Vietnam where they lived and worked for 2 years. In 1964 Bill saw another 2 year tour of duty as a Drill Instructor on Parris Island; it was there that he received his commission to Second Lieutenant. Following his commission, Bill served as Guard Officer at The Naval Base in Charleston, SC, and further as Combat Cargo Officer aboard the USS Okinawa where he saw another tour of duty off the coast of Vietnam. Captain Raber's final tour was as "A" Company Commander, First Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, SC.

He had come full circle - so on February 28, 1970 he retired. But wait: he was not thru serving his Corps. He began working Civil Service at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort where he put in another 20 years in support of "Fighter Town". Not ready to just sit around after the second retirement, Bill became a driver for Enterprise Car Rental for the next 10 years. He could be seen early most weekday mornings sitting on the front steps smoking a cigarette waiting for the staff. Bill was a life member of AMVETS Post 70, VFW Post 8760 and a member of the American Legion.

Bill is survived by his wife, Rose, of 55 years. Daughters Debra Raber Tatro (Kenneth) of Monument, CO and Pamela Raber of Beaufort, SC. Five grandchildren: Beth Tatro Hudgens (Kevin) and Mark Tatro of Colorado Springs, CO. and Jennifer Wiles, Jenna and Jay Raber of Beaufort, SC. Three great-grandchildren: Noah, Connor and Annika Hudgens of Colorado Springs, CO.

He was predeceased by his parents, William and Irene, grandson, Michael J. Wiles and his sister Barbara Mitchell.

The family received friends on Monday, October 29, 2012 at Anderson Funeral Home in Beaufort, SC. The funeral services will be held at Carl Anderson Memorial Chapel on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 1:00pm with interment at the Beaufort National Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers donations in his memory may be made to the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. BOX 2233, Beaufort, SC 29901. Anderson Funeral Home is serving the family. www.andersonfuneralhomebeaufortsc.com

Published by The Island Packet from Oct. 30 to Nov. 30, 2012.

02/21/2023 EJS