WILLIAM JOHN RAGUSIN, 76 year old resident of Bartlesville died on Tuesday, January 02, 2007, at Jane Phillips Medical Center. Bill Ragusin was born on September 21, 1930, in New York City and grew up in Queens, New York. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School, Queens College and Columbia University with a Master of Science and a Master of Business Administration. Prior to completing his degrees from Columbia, he served on active duty in the US Navy from November 1952 to May 1956. He attained the rank of Lieutenant in the Naval Reserves, in which he served until August 1971. He obtained his CPA while working for the accounting firm of Peat, Marwick, and Mitchell. He left public accounting to work for Alfred Dunhill as a financial officer and later joined the firm of Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette. His vast financial and accounting experience landed him several court appointed bankruptcy positions, most notably with Investors Funding Corporation. Upon the sale of the real estate assets of Investors Funding to Harry Helmsley, Bill became a senior vice president of Helmsley Enterprises, where he worked until he retired to Bartlesville in 1988. After retirement, he continued to work for the National Association of Securities Dealers as an arbitrator. He was a member of Theater Bartlesville, where he was active in set building and served as Treasurer for several years. He was also a member of Hillcrest Country Club, volunteered at the Agape Mission, and was a supporter of the Bartlesville Symphony, serving as Co-Chair of this year's Symphony Ball. He is survived by his wife, Rita, of the home, and four children, John of Southampton, New York, Bill, Jr., of Southampton, New York, Jane Kilgore of Lummi Island, Washington, and Paul of New York City. He is also survived by his brother, Edward and wife, Lucille, of Flushing, New York and two grand children Malcolm and Ruby Kilgore of Lummi Island, Washington. A memorial has been established with the Animal Rescue Foundation and those who wish to contribute may do so in lieu of flowers to the Animal Rescue Foundation, PO Box 3292, Bartlesville, Ok 74005 a memorial has also been established with the Bartlesville Relay For Life Chapter, Attn: Deb Hendricks, 3470 SE Frank Phillips Blvd., Bartlesville, Oklahoma 74006. Funeral services for William John Ragusin will be held 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2007 in the St. Luke's Episcopal Church with The Reverend Dr. T. Lee Stephens officiating. Funeral services are under the direction of the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences can be left at www.honoringmemories.com.
Service Details
Friday, January 5th, 2007 2:00pm
Interment Details
St. Luke's Episcopal Church