William "Bill" Otto Ruwwe

William "Bill" Otto Ruwwe Age 83 of Lake St. Louis, Missouri. William Otto Ruwwe was born on July 25, 1930 in the rural town of Japan, Missouri. He was preceeded in death by his parents Otto and Mamie Ruwwe. Bill was the middle child of three, his older sister Betty (deceased) who is survived by her husband Don Burgess and younger brother Clyde who is married to Patty Ruwwe. A Sullivan High School graduate and Army veteran, he continued his education and graduated from Central Missouri State University. He furthered his education at Washington University in the Engineering Department. Bill joined the Army shortly after graduation from high school. He served in Germany near the end of World War II and later served in Korea. Bill married the love of his life, Helen Haynes whom he met in college. They married on New Years Day in 1958. One of his most endearing faux pas was showing up at Helen’s dorm to pick her up for their first date and asking for “Helen Hayes”. The union was blessed with two daughters, Teresa Lynn and Nancy Jean. Sons-in-law are Michael Howard and Joe Ratliff. Bill’s career started at Wagner Electric as a chemical engineer. He was with Wagner for 33 years, where he performed in the capacity of engineering clerk, quality control chemist, manufacturing engineer and ending his career on a high note the plant manager of Wagner Brake Fluid Division. Bill was the inventor of an electroless nickel plating process for cast iron. In addition he invented the dissolution of crystal formation in brake fluid. He was a member of the Society of Automotive Engineers and the Saint Louis Genealogy Society. He researched his family roots back into the 1700’s and connected with many relatives in Germany and across the United States. His love of the outdoors included fly fishing (with which he is credited for creating many more lovers of the sport) and travel which took him across the United States and the globe. Bill was the proud grandfather of Laura Clary, Andrew Clary & his wife Elizabeth, Steven Clary and Jesse Ratliff. Great grandchildren include Joseph, William, Lydia, Nora and Oliver Clary. He enjoyed working his own forty acre farm of family land and taking family and friends on hayrides using his father’s little red tractor. Bill enjoyed golfing with Helen and winters in Florida. He and Helen enjoyed playing bridge. Bill excelled at the game but mostly he enjoyed the company of good friends. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, Bill leaves family and many dear friends. He will be sorely missed.

William "Bill" Otto Ruwwe

July 25, 1930 - December 19, 2013