William Joseph “Bill” Rapp, 87, of Renfrew, went to be with our Lord on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Kadima Rehabilitation and Nursing at Harmony.
Born April 15, 1938, in Butler, Bill was the son of the late Edmund Rapp and Janet Poole Rapp. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Jean Ansman Rapp, with whom he shared 48 devoted years of marriage. He is survived by his beloved wife of 16 years, Maxine Jackson Rapp.
After graduating from Butler High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Texas, where he used his mechanical skills to repair military vehicles. He also served as scoutmaster for the sons of enlistees in the Army. Upon completing his service, he returned to Butler and pursued a variety of jobs before beginning an apprenticeship at Oberg Manufacturing in Freeport. There, he built a successful career as a skilled tool and die maker, supervisor, and sales representative.
Bill’s passion for his work and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Rapp Industrial Sales, which he built from the ground up—starting in a home office and eventually expanding to a dedicated facility in Connoquenessing. For more than 30 years, Bill and Nancy worked side by side in the business, specializing in diamond wheels, abrasives, cutting tools, and surface analyzers. Known for his technical expertise and genuine desire to help others, Bill earned the trust and admiration of countless customers who valued his practical problem-solving and hands-on knowledge.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Bill lived a rich and meaningful life. He was a devoted and active member of All Saints Parish, St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church in Meridian, often contributing homemade cakes and pies for the Lenten fish frys. He was also a passionate supporter and board member of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra. As president of the Abrasive Engineering Society, he shared both his leadership and his deep love of the industry. Bill enjoyed a wide range of hobbies, including gardening, tool sharpening, woodworking, writing, and creating stained glass.
Family was at the heart of Bill’s life. He cherished time with his children and grandchildren and took great pride in their lives. He is survived by his four children and their spouses: Kenneth and Gayle Rapp of Vermont, Diana and Geoffrey Wilson of Ohio, Timothy and Terrie Rapp of Ohio, and James and Mariela Rapp of Virginia. He is also survived by his stepson, Daniel Sparks-Jackson and his wife, Beth, of Michigan; and his brother, David Rapp and his wife, Sandra, of Florida.
Bill also leaves behind 21 grandchildren: Christopher and Jessica, who are the children of Kenneth; Mallory, Joseph, and Alex, who are the children of Diana; Andrew, Nathan, Elizabeth, Rebekah, Seth, Sarah, John, Rachel and Caleb, who are the children of Timothy; and Benjamin, Antonio, Juliette, Mary, Vik, Angela, and Kateri, who are the children of James. He is also survived by two step-grandchildren, Helen and Cyrus, who are the children of Daniel; as well as seven great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Bill will be remembered for his steadfast faith, his love and devotion to family, his generosity with time and wisdom, and his unwavering commitment to excellence in all that he did. His life was a reflection of integrity, humility, and grace.
Friends will be received in the Martin Funeral Home, Downtown, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, on Wednesday from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10 a.m. at All Saints Parish, St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church, 125 Buttercup Rd., Butler, with Rev. John J. Baver officiating.
Burial will take place in Butler County Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Conrad Roman Catholic Church. The mailing address is All Saints Parish, 128 N. McKean St., Butler, PA 16001.