William Lee Rank

William, 93, passed away peacefully at home in Meridian, Idaho, March 05, 2021, with family by his side. This was just in time to dance with his beloved wife, the late Joyce (Bauer), on what would have been her 90th birthday the next day. William was the stepfather of Dan (Donna) Fitzgerald, Evergreen, CO; Tom Fitzgerald, Livingston, TX; Mary (Wayne) Wontor, The Villages, FL; Kathleen Fitzgerald, Boise, ID; and Morgan (Beverley) Fitzgerald, Kuna, ID. He and his imaginative children’s stories were enjoyed by many grand- and great-grandchildren. William was born to Bessie Marie (Schafer) and William Phillip Rank on October 11, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his sister, Louise Zandell, and his nieces: Nancy Ann Zandell Moore and Linda Lee Zandell Garlock. William is survived by his brother, The Rev. Canon Andrew Peter Rank, SSP, San Diego, CA; his sister’s grandchildren: Kellie Garlock Pierson, Eagle ID; Dr. Lance Moore, DC, San Diego, CA; Michelle Moore, Redmond, OR; and Keri Martin, Redmond, OR; and many great- and great-great-grandnieces and nephews. William graduated from Drake University on May 26, 1952, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. His education was interrupted for service in the U.S. Army including service in Germany from August 1946 to April 1947. William worked for Johnson Controls for 33 years and retired as a Chicago, IL, branch manager. He then started a consulting business in Crown Point, IN. William was an artist and videographer, often giving videography workshops for fellow travelers, sharing his paintings, and entertaining his family and neighbors with his travel videos. He enjoyed playing golf and sharing his skill with others. His friends and caregivers often commented on his great sense of humor. He loved music, and musicians enjoyed how William drummed the rhythm on the arms of his chair. William especially cherished traveling with Joyce, his wife since 1978. They enjoyed trips overseas and being “full-timers” in their motorhome for over a decade. Now they are traveling together again. A committal service with full military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 24th, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery where William will be inurned alongside Joyce. Following will be a private Celebration of Life.