William Hoyer Rasmussen

William Hoyer Rasmussen, 97, passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2014, at LeMoyne Place in St. Martin under hospice care. Mr. Rasmussen was born October 26, 1916 to Hans and Sophia Kirstine Hoyer Rasmussen in Newell, Iowa. He moved with his family to Escatawpa, MS in 1926. At age 16, he left home and began his life on the water. During World War II, William joined the U.S. Merchant Marine and delivered supplies to England during the U-boat threat. After the war, he earned his First Class Pilot License and later his Master of Ships License. Earning the name “Captain Bill”, he worked with various companies including Warrior and Gulf, Lake Tankers, Walker Towing, and finally Colle Towing where he retired in 1980. William was a Master Mason, earning the 32nd Degree of Scottish Rites, a past member of the Ocean Springs Elks Club, and Navy League. He also was a past officer in the Gautier Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Gautier United Methodist Church. Mr. Rasmussen is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Burnice Powell Rasmussen and son, William L. Rasmussen. His parents; siblings, Marie Lennep, Ruby House, and Emil Rasmussen; grandsons, Caz Wyatt and Bryan Moe; and daughter in law, Janet Pol Rasmussen also preceded him in death. He is survived by his children, Robert “Bill” Rasmussen, Juanita “Nita” (Michael) Howard, Thomas “Tommy” (Shirley) Rasmussen, Elizabeth “Liz” (Carl) Wyatt, Donna (Robert) Wells, and Richard (Carolyn) Rasmussen; 18 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; sisters, Mildred Whitmore, Winnie Ward, Esther Bennett; brother in law, Curtis Powell; and special friend Robert Dunning. A graveside service will be held at Griffin Cemetery in Moss Point, MS on Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Mary Stewart officiating. Pallbearers will be Carl A. Wyatt Jr., Con A. Wyatt, Scott Wells, Ric Rasmussen, Guy Martin, and Jacob Scott. The family thanks the staff of LeMoyne Place for their dedicated care and service for both Mr. & Mrs. Rasmussen. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners’ Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607 Arrangements by Holder-Wells Funeral Home of Moss Point, MS. Online condolences may be shared at www.holderwellsfuneralhome.com

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William Hoyer Rasmussen

October 26, 1916 - May 22, 2014