William Matthew Babler was born 7 Apr 1919 in Monticello, Green Co., WI to John Babler and Oline Westgard, who predeceased him. The family moved to Winona Co., MN when he was young. He died 20 days after his 70th birthday on 27 Apr 1989 in LaCrosse, LaCrosse Co. WI at the Lutheran Hospital.
William moved to Ridegeway, MN in 1927 and worked for Harry Hackbarth Farming. He lived in LaCrosse, WI and later moved back to Ridgeway from 1953 to 1986 and then moved to LaCrescent, MN until the time of his death. Farming was his favorite of all his occupations. He worked at Ridgeway Day Bar-Q Chicken and was President of the Church Council at Grace Lutheran Church.
William married Florence LaVern Lark/Lemke on 9 Jun 1946 in LaCrosse, WI. She survived him and passed away on 8 Aug 2005 in Winona. Both are buried in Bush Cemetery.
He was also survived by his children Edward William (Edna) Babler of Cincinnati, OH and Lyle James (Patricia) Babler of Winona, MN; 3 grandchildren.
William worked at Swift & Co. in LaCrosse from 1946 to 1953. In 1953 he moved to Ridgeway, MN where he farmed until retiring in 1983. He was also listed as a cheesemaker.
He served in the U.S. Army during WW II and served from 1942 to 1945. He was a Heavy Truck Driver and served in Normandy, Northern France Air Offensive, Europe. He was a member of the Arnet-Sheldon American Legion Post 423 in Houston, MN.
William was a member of the Grace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway, MN and was past president of its church council. He was also a member of the Winona County Old Settlers and the LaCrescent Senior Citizens Group. William was buried with Military Rights by the American Legion Post 423 and was buried in Bush Cemetery in Ridgeway.