Obituary: William Buckler ‘Bill’ Peterson, 90, Loretto
WILLIAM BUCKLER “BILL” PETERSON
William Buckler “Bill” Peterson, 90, of Loretto, died Tuesday, June 30, 2015. He grew up in Loretto working in the family business, Seven Sons Dairy. He founded Peterson Farms in 1946, and devoted himself to dairy farming in his early career, and later to large-scale corn, soybeans and wheat production. Peterson Farms continues today under the leadership of sons Bill, David, Bernard, and grandson, Albert Peterson.
A consummate life-long learner, hel was continuously open to new technologies and change. It was this leadership, along with his enduring quest for fairness and honesty, which fueled the success of the business, resulting in the receipt of numerous local, regional and national awards over the years. Ever the hard worker, he also delivered mail for the US Postal Service (Loretto) for 35 years.
The driving forces in his life were his faith and his family. He enjoyed a long and loving relationship with his wife. He and his wife Rose Mary were truly a team, raising eight devoted children, and further instilling their strong values in grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one son, Paul Joseph Peterson; one grandson, John Daniel Peterson; and four siblings, Cary Peterson, Nell Brahm, Betty Hupman and Jimmy Peterson,
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Rose Mary Peterson; eight children, Bill (Susan), Sara (Mark Meltzer), Michael (Kathleen Kaiman), Alice (Paul Munk), David (Sandy), Mary Rose (Charles George), Dominic (Eileen), and Bernard (Annette); six siblings, Catherine Rogers, Geraldine Peterson, the Rev. Gerald Peterson, the Rev. George Peterson, the Rev. Harry Peterson, and Bobby Peterson; 22 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Saturday, July 4, 2015, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in New Hope with burial in the St. Francis of Assisi cemetery in St. Francis.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Friday, July 3, 2015, at the Mattingly Funeral Home.
Memorial donations may go for Masses.
The Mattingly Funeral Home in Loretto is in charge of the arrangements.
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