William Richard Ersthaler's Obituary
William Richard Ersthaler (Bill) passed away on August 21,2016 at the age 91. Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan on the 26th of December, 1924 to Gustav and Louise Ersthaler. He graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Air Force. After graduating from Navigation School he joined the 22nd Bomber Group as a navigator and was deployed to the South Pacific. He flew 65 combat missions, was shot down and crash landed in Borneo. Bill received an Air Medal with Bronze Star, the Philippines Liberation Medal with Bronze Battle Star, American Theater Ribbon, America Theater Ribbon with Silver Battle Star, and Overseas Service Bar and Victory Metal. He was released from service in January 1946. He attended Wayne State University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Industrial Psychology. He married Paulina Lee Potter on April 9, 1950. Bill worked as Director of Human Resources at LTV and E Systems retiring as Vice President in 1990. Bill lost his beloved wife, Polly and mother of his children in September 1987. He married Suzanne Staub in December of 1991. They lived in New Mexico and Arizona and most recently in Frisco, Texas to be closer to her family. Bill is preceded in death by Polly Ersthaler. Bill is survived by Sue Ersthaler, Paul Ersthaler and wife Susan, and Carol Paquette and husband Joe, grandchildren Jessica, Austen and Leah. The service for William Ersthaler will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, August 27, 2016 in The Wildwood Chapel at Restland Funeral Home.
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