William Thomas Casey

William Thomas Casey was born in Cedar Rapids IA on February 21, 1924 and raised in Pontiac IL. In November of 1942, he enlisted in the Navy serving as a First Class Radioman and a Naval Cryptologist. He volunteered for hazardous service in Iwo Jima (WW II) and, after he was married with two children, was drafted and served in the Aleutian Islands (Korean War).Bill received a commendation for his activities in The Battle of the Philippine Sea. Bill met Celeste Marie Curran while attending St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA. On their first date, he announced that he would be marrying her. They indeed were married on November 27, 1948 and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. Bill spent his career working with John Deere living predominantly in Paxton IL, Lansing MI, and Columbus OH where he retired as Retail Regional Credit Manager and was active in the Shamrock Club and St. Andrew's Catholic Church. He enjoyed almost thirty years of retirement, spending winters at Sun `n Fun in Sarasota FL and relocating eight years ago to Aurora CO where he has been active in prison ministries. William was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Mae (McElroy) Casey, his only sister, Kathryn (Casey) Vicars, and his eldest child, Cathleen Ann Casey. He is survived by his wife, Celeste Curran Casey, his children, Celeste Casey Clarke (Chicago IL), Frank/Mary Jo Casey (Fairview Park OH), William Casey (Atascadero CA), Theresa/Lee Gehr (Newark OH), Mary Jo/John Graham (Bettendorf IA), and Maureen/James Rose (Centennial CO), and fourteen grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. William died peacefully at home from a rare and aggressive form of bladder cancer on January 2, 2013. He was a man of considerable faith and felt blessed to experience an incredible life and death. A Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2013 from 3PM to 6PM followed by a Vigil Rosary at 6:00 PM at Horan McConaty Funeral Home, 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora CO 80014. A Funeral Mass is scheduled at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 7, 2013 at Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church, 18000 E. Arapahoe Road, Foxfield CO 80016 Burial services will be held later in Columbus OH. Monetary remembrances may be sent to Prison Ministries at Our Lady of Loreto, Attention Deacon Mike Magee, 18000 E. Arapahoe Road, Foxfield CO 80016. Please share memories and leave condolences at HoranCares.com