William R. Rau

Mr William R. Rau, 92, of Great Valley, NY died peacefully with family at his side Thursday, October 3, 2019 at Cuba Memorial Hospital following a short illness.

Born February 27, 1927 in Salamanca, NY, he was the son of the late William A. and Catherine M. LeFevre Rau.

He was a graduate of Salamanca High School and a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific during WWII. He joined the Navy Reserves, serving from 1964 – 1987, and retired with 26 years of service, also serving during the Vietnam Era.

Mr. Rau worked for the B&O Railroad in East Salamanca and then went to A&P for 20+ years. Then, he went to work for BOCES in Ellicottville in the Maintenance Department, retiring in 1989.

He loved the outdoors.

Surviving are: a son, Eric (Darla) Rau, Scio, NY; a granddaughter, Kristin (Adam) Fuller, Wellsville, NY; two great-grandchildren, Kaylie and Kamden Fuller, both of Wellsville; a brother, Douglas (Katherine) Rau, Binghamton, NY; a sister, Emily (Gene) Harold, Englewood, FL; several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Rhea Boza.

There will be no visitation.

A memorial service will be held at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 1pm with Deacon Michael Anderson, officiating.

Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.