H. William “Bill” Rautenberg was born in Brockton, Mass to parents Bessie and Louis. He was the youngest of 3 sons, along with Leonard and George. Bill graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and then served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He married Faith Conviser and raised 2 children, Mark Alan and the late Nancy Beth.
With his father, he ran the Rautenberg Corporation working in the leather and shoe industry. He later invested in a larger manufacturing firm in Boston named Silverite-Gutterman, along with his brother George. Together they manufactured leather products, shoe findings and foot comfort products.
He served on many local committees and boards, and was elected to serve on the Brockton City Counsel. He was active in the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Boston. After retiring to Florida, Bill and Faith enjoyed taking cruises and traveling the world. He also loved to read and enjoyed good food.
As a young man he enjoyed playing many sports such as baseball, basketball and he won multiple local Y and city-wide bowling tournaments. He declared himself the “master of the impossible shot” on the golf course…..perhaps because he had far too many opportunities.
In his later years he remained an avid sports fan and was disappointed to never get an offer to manage a major league baseball team. As he aged and the volume on the TV grew louder, it became more difficult for professional baseball managers and football coaches to hear the advice Bill freely offered from his chair at home.
He is survived by Faith, his wife of 63 years, his son Mark and daughter-in-law Terri.
At age 89, he has enjoyed extra innings and now enters the post season. I hope they are looking for a good coach.
A small service will be held at the Kraeer-Becker Funeral Home in Deerfield Beach, Florida on Wednesday, January 9 at 2pm.
A small graveside burial service will be held at 1pm Friday, January 18 at the Plymouth Rock Cemetery, 1000 Pearl Street in Brockton, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of greater Boston at JBBBS.org. (617) 965-7055
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