Bill Platto Sr., 88

William “Bill” John Platto Sr., 88, died August 4, 2010 at Bethany Community.

Bill was born August 6, 1921 in Minneapolis to Bert Andrew and Susan (Higgins) Platto and moved to Alexandria at the age of 2. He graduated from Central High School in 1940 and was a member of the National Guard, Battery C, Company #217 in Alexandria.

This guard unit was activated while training in California December of 1941, sent to Iceland, Scotland and England, and in 1944 into Normandy where they saw action in France, Belgium and Holland. He was honorably discharged in June 1945 and returned to Alexandria. In 1985, Bill and his guard unit celebrated their 40th reunion with a trip to Europe, retracing their steps. A highlight was staying with the people in Putte, Belgium, a town they liberated at the end of the war.

Bill married Elsie Christine Carlson of Alexandria March 1, 1946. Four children were born to this union – Lynda, Sheri, Patty and Billy. Bill was self employed much of his life, selling cars as Platto Auto Co./Auto, Inc. He formed Speedways, Inc. with Ray and Harold Lindquist and promoted stock car racing in Alexandria, Morris, Fergus Falls and Wadena for 12 years in the 1950s and 1960s.

Bill managed the VFW Club for 25 years and continued to sell and rent cars until the age of 85. Bill was a member of St. Mary’s Church, the VFW, American Legion, The Elks, and the Eagles. He loved life, his family, all dogs and his friends and shared racing, hunting, airplanes, snowmobiling, golf, car auctions, and wintering in Florida, Texas and Arizona with them. He was a very vocal “armchair quarterback” for the Vikings and Twins and loved going for morning coffee in his later years with his buddies at the Coffee Pot.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Elsie; daughters, Lynda (David) Wosmek of Alexandria, Sheri (Hukriede) Platto of Edina, Patty (Bryan) Stamp of Prescott, AZ; his daughter-in-law, Nancy (Bongard) Platto of Chaska; grandchildren, Tim, Jamie (Toni) and Patrick (Brenda) Hukriede, Katy Wosmek (Jon) Olson, Betsy Wosmek (Mike) Stromberg, Tina Platto (Jason) Marisam, Andy Platto, Tracie Stamp (Kevin Paskett) and Michael (Jennifer) Stamp; great-grandchildren, Nick, Ellie, Jo, Zach, Josh, Hannah, Gavin, Selby, Grady, Jack, Flora Billie, Daria, Aidan, Ryan and Greta; and great-great-granddaughter, Lilly Grace.

He is also survived by his sister, Val Platto Carder of Los Gatos, CA; brother, Patrick (Louise) Platto of Brookfield WI; cousin, Dorothy Fillingham of Leesburg, FL; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his son, Bill Jr., one year ago; his parents, Bert and Sue Platto; and sisters, Berniece Smith and Isabelle Thompson.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, August 9 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Alexandria with the Rev. Steve Binsfeld officiating. Entombment was at St. Mary’s Catholic Mausoleum.

Arrangements are with Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria; www.andersonfuneral.net.