NOMINATED 2023
Bill was born in Berlin and graduated from Berlin High School I 1951. Two years later he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as a Combat Engineer. Upon his return to Berlin in October of 1955, he began working in the family business, Drectrah’s True Value Hardware Store. This popular store was located on N. Huron St. and had been started by his father in 1932.
Within a few years Bill married, started a family and began a life-long involvement in volunteering with a number of Berlin organizations. He served as President of the Berlin Jaycees, as State Vice-President of the Wisconsin Jaycees, and one of the five National Directors of the Wisconsin Jaycees. Bill also took on the presidency of a number of other Berlin organizations over the years.
In June of 1969, he purchased the family business from his father and continued its traditions including hiring a high school student to work in the store and gain experience. In 1980 he moved the store to the then new Green Tree Mall. In 1984 he sold the business and retired to continue his volunteer activities.
Bill served as the summer Band Director for four years holding concerts in East Side Park. He also volunteered his time with the Boy Scout movement, serving as Cub Master and with the Twin Lakes Boy Scout Council.
Another organization close to his heart was the Shriners, serving as President/Captain of the ZOR Mavericks out of Madison, a Shrine Scooter Parade Unit doing 20 to 25 parades a season with the proceeds going to the Shrine Hospital for Children. Bill was part of the squad for 26 years. He was one of several members who transported children to the Shrine Hospitals for Children for life-changing care.
As a veteran, he is a lifetime member of the American Legion and received the Service Award from the Post in 2023. Always interested in education, he assisted in organizing and was secretary of the Class of 1951 High School Scholarship Fund which had awarded scholarships to Berlin students.
“I would tell the high school students graduating today to always be the best they can be, no matter what the situation is.”