William Foster Rayne

For those of you that are unable to join us in person, please pre-register and join us virtually at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=ee8c0127-eccf-4506-8c7b-1a109ff7a34f

William Foster Rayne, son of Fredrick Rayne, of Madison, and Ann (Todd) Rayne, of Norfolk, VA was born in Madison, WI on August 4th, 1931. He died peacefully on May 29th, 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Virginia (Dan) Brodell, and brother George (Mary) Rayne and is survived by his wife, Jeanne Loomis Rayne, and their sons; Christopher C. Rayne, (Claudia Rayne), Peter L. Rayne, (Natasha Rayne), Steven T. Rayne, and 7 Grandchildren; Kaitlin Rayne (Anwar Bjyrd), Anne Rayne (Michael Daugherty), Tessa, Ben, and Ellen Rayne, Fiona and Ellery Rayne and 5 great grandchildren; Alex, Nyla, Avi and Apollo Bjyrd and Callan Daugherty

William (Bill) was a 1950 Graduate of Madison’s West High and attended college at The University of Wisconsin, Madison. While at the University he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity and was in the ROTC.  He graduated the University of WI in 1954, then served four years as a Lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corps, stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.  After discharge from the Army, Bill was employed by The Milwaukee Company Investment Firm.

On August 5,1958 Bill married, Jeanne Loomis, (from Omaha NE) at the First Presbyterian Church of Omaha. They enjoyed their honeymoon in Wyoming and British Columbia. After their honeymoon they settled in Racine WI, where he soon took charge of the new branch of The Milwaukee Company in Racine and was promoted to Senior Vice President.  Over the decades of his career, from 1958 until his retirement in 1996, the investment firm’s name changed several times, but Bill continued to serve his Racine clients and helped hundreds of families achieve their financial goals.

Over the course of many years Bill impacted his community in many positive ways. He served on the Board of The Village of Wind Point in Racine, as a Trustee and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, a Trustee on the Board of the Prairie School, and also as a Trustee on the board of Camp Manitowish and the Racine YWCA. William also served on The Board of Visitors of the College of Letters and Science at the University of Wisconsin. He was on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Racine and was also elected to the board of the Racine Area United Way. He was also the President of the local chapter of the Wisconsin Alumni Association. 

After retirement Bill and Jeanne split their time between St. John, USVI and Spring Green, WI. In St. John they enjoyed being active in The Audubon Society group and tours, as well as The St. John Historical Society, and The Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park. In Spring Green WI, they enjoyed being stewards of the land and developed large areas of native prairie. They also enjoyed going to, and being supporters of, The American Players Theatre. Bill instilled in his family a love of the outdoors and could often be found canoeing, camping, skiing or hiking with family and friends. They had a wonderful group of friends everywhere they lived, and enjoyed many trips and adventures.

If you would like to donate in William’s memory, please donate to www.manito-wish.org/donate and select Tribute Fund. Thank you.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road  Madison

(608) 238-3434