William Robilliard

William S. "Bill" Robilliard, age 90 of Faribault, MN passed away Saturday, November 23, 2013, at the Abbott-Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ, Faribault, with Pastor Jan Bodin, officiating. Interment will be at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault, with military honors provided by the Rice County Central Veterans Association.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Tuesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

William S. was born on July 26, 1923 in Faribault to Dr. Charles M. and Virginia H. (Schutt) Robilliard. He graduated from Faribault High School with the class of 1941 and attended Hamline University. Bill enlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy in September of 1942 and trained at the Naval Hospital Corps School. After assignments at the Naval Hospital and the Dispensary in Boston, he was transferred to New York to be trained with 800 Hospital Corpsmen for the Normandy Invasion. Sailing aboard the LST 290, Bill and a crew of 20 landed at Utah Beach on D-day, June 6th. Their role was to transport the wounded across the English Channel to London for treatment and return supplies to Utah Beach. There were numerous ferries made and many adventures occurred aboard his LST ship during WWII. About 10 of his crew were further trained to support the invasion of Japan and were later stationed in Okinawa at the time when the atomic bomb was dropped. He then was aboard LSM ships traveling to Guam, Saipan, and Tinian. Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy on August 28, 1948. He was a member of the American Legion Post 43, Congregational United Church of Christ, and the Maple Lawn Cemetery Association Board.

After his time in the Navy he returned to Faribault. He was united in marriage to Joyce Bjoralt on June 21, 1952 at Grace Lutheran Church, Nerstrand, MN and they had three children, Steven, Laurie, and Kathy. Bill worked in sales with Nutting Truck and Caster Co. of Faribault for 33 years, with many years as sales manager. Later he worked with Tricker Caster and Wheel Co. until his retirement. Bill enjoyed vacationing to the North Shore, Grand Marais, and Boundary Waters in his youth and later with his family. His interests included gardening, golfing, reading, fishing and hunting. Bill was a sports enthusiast and was a great fan of the Gophers. Bill was a family man, greatly enjoying his grandchildren's activities and being remembered by his children for always supporting and taking part in their passions.

He is survived by his children, Steven W. Robilliard of Waseca, MN, Laurie (Chris) Hawkins of Pine Island, MN, and Kathy Robilliard of Faribault; six grandchildren, Jeffrey (Samantha) Robilliard, Kristin (Dustin) Abraham, Gregory Hawkins, Brenna Hawkins, Derek Hawkins, and Kathleen Hawkins; five great grandchildren, Zachary, Blake, Halle, Nathan, and Madeline; sister-in-law, Rita Robilliard of Bloomington; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce on November 8, 2003; parents; two brothers, Charles Robilliard and Walter (Carol) Robilliard; and infant great granddaughter, Aubrey Mae Robilliard.

Memorials may be directed to the River Bend Nature Center or the choice of the donor in memory of Bill.