Willard F. Rissmiller

Willard F. “Bill” Rissmiller 95, of Westborough, passed away April 16th at the Coleman House in Northborough. Born in Bushkill County, PA, he was the son of John and Florence (Fehr) Rissmiller. He was raised in Wind Gap and was a 1945 graduate of Nazareth High School. Following high school, he attended Penn State University earning a BS in Agricultural Engineering in 1949 and later earned an MBA from Bradley University. He was employed at Purdue University in the Agricultural Extension Dept. and specialized in crop drying. He joined Caterpillar Equipment Company in 1956 and worked at the proving ground, hydraulic lab and was a Field Engineer traveling the east coast evaluating equipment components and prototype machines. In 1972 he joined a Caterpillar dealership in Hopkinton MA where he was employed in the sales department. He later worked with Case Equipment dealers until his retirement.

Bill enjoyed traveling with his wife Elaine to whom he was married for 68 years before her passing in 2018. He was an avid gardener and earned an associate degree in horticulture from Becker College.

He was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Westborough.

He is survived by his children Carol O’Neill and her husband Joe of Warriors Mark PA, Kent Rissmiller and his wife Rachel Ross of Jefferson MA, Kurt Rissmiller and his wife Kathryn Welsh of Millville, MA; grandchildren Jesse O’Neill and his wife Meg of Easton PA, Ben O’Neill and his wife Joann of Folsom, PA, John Rissmiller and his partner Katherine Souza of NY, NY, Kevin Rissmiller of Washington, DC; great grandchildren Finley and Calla O’Neill of Easton, PA; one sister Myra Rissmiller and her husband Frank Cipolla of Ackworth, GA; 7 step grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren.

The burial was private in Pine Grove Cemetery.