William Richard Macke

Born October 13, 1929 in Coon Rapids, Iowa

Grew up in Nebraska on a ranch with his mom and dad and sister.

Attended parochial school. Attended High school in Mullen, Nebraska and graduated in 1946. He played drums in the family band that consisted of his uncles and his parents. It was called the J.E. Macke Band after his father. He married his wife, Jean Porter, and was married 65 years. He enlisted in the Army. He worked his way up to sergeant and was to serve in Korea. Instead of Korea, he was sent to Alaska to survey it for statehood. When he got out of the service he worked as a surveyor for California Highways. He later worked as an engineer for the State of California as a member of the Water Quality Control Board. He worked there for 20 years. During that time he captained several boats, but his last one was his favorite. He named it the Blue Angel. He inspected the water quality form Antioch to Alameda. Then when his wife, Jean, was transferred to Sacramento, he retired from the state and became a "house husband". This was too tame for him, so he went to work for the Santa Fe/ Southern Pacific Pipeline as an inspector. He worked all over the west coast from Oregon to Southern California, and he and his wife traveled in a motor home for months at a time from location to location. Then he retired and started new hobbies with music and shared music with everyone he met. He also was a gifted carpenter (craftsman) and crafted many unique and beautiful wood objects for many people, including jewelry boxes, stools, music cabinet, Book shelves, doors for cabinets, puzzles for the grandchildren and so many other gifts. He was famous for always being there for anyone and always lent a hand when there was a need. For fun he went camping with the family, or played ball with the neighborhood kids, he hosted parties and was amazing at the barbeque. He and his wife were in The Concord Rebel Square Dance Club and others. He golfed. He created an amazing model railroad track in the garage. He was always working a puzzle or playing cards, or crossword puzzles. The last game was a rivalry between his wife and himself playing a game called sequence every night at dinner. He was also an avid reader and read Louis L'Amour and had quite a collection of various authors. He is survived two children Daniel and Sandra, and seven grandchildren Adam, Ana, Elissa, Jesse, Kyla, Angela, and Ahanu, whom he loved dearly. He died at home. He left a legacy of love and will always be remembered in our hearts.