William “Bill” E. Bridges, 88, St. Cloud

December 10, 1926 – December 24, 2014

William “Bill” Eugene Bridges, age 88, St. Cloud, MN died Wednesday, December 24, 2014 at his home.

Funeral Services will be Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church, Sartell, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be Wednesday at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

Bill was born on December 10, 1926 in Pershing, IA to Cecil and Charlotte (Brink) Bridges. He married JoAnn Dolman on June 27, 1948 in Knoxville, IA. Bill and JoAnn have lived in St. Cloud, MN since 1956.

Bill served his country during WWII in the US Coast Guard. He continued his military service as a Reserve Officer in the US Army, Medical Corps, retiring in 1986 with the rank Lieutenant Colonel. He attended the University of Iowa where he received a BA Degree in Occupational Therapy. He was employed by the Veterans Administration for 32 years. Bill was Chief of Occupational Therapy and later became the Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Staff at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, where he retired in 1986. During his tenure he was the recipient of many awards and honors.

Bill was talented at many things and enjoyed spending time in his workshop, playing golf as often as he could, reading anything that had to do with history, enjoying an occasional hunting trip and above all -- cheering on his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes. He was fearless, compassionate and always had time to celebrate family and to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it.

Survivors include his wife JoAnn of St. Cloud, MN; son Craig Bridges of Ramsey, MN; daughter Risa (Larry) Bridges-Hall of Kennebunk, ME; sisters, Shirley Bridges of Brookfield, WI and Darlene Harding of Palmyra, WI; sister-in-law, Judy McKie of Burlingame, CA and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Gail Prelozni.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill’s memory to the First United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund or to a charity of your choosing.