William “Bill” R. Newell, 79, of Austin, Minnesota, died peacefully Wednesday evening, March 1, 2017, surrounded by his loving family at Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester, Saint Marys Campus.  Bill was born May 24, 1937, in Rochester, Minnesota, the son of Jesse and Ella (Aaby) Newell. He was raised in Rochester and graduated from Rochester Central High School in 1955. He attended Rochester Junior College, graduating with a degree in bookkeeping. On Dec. 9, 1961, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Putratz in Mason City, Iowa. Bill worked in Mason City at the Hoxie Food Company before taking a job as manager of the Country Kitchen in Austin. He later went to work for Continental Foods, retiring in 1988. He has been a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church since 1970. Bill was a devoted Shriner and an avid Masonic Lodge member, dedicating his life to helping people. He also volunteered and served on the board of the local Salvation Army. He enjoyed singing, doing karaoke, spending time at his cabin and driving his pontoon.

Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Newell of Austin; daughter, Karen Luna of Austin; son, Bruce (Julie) Newell of Raymond, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Andrea (Michael) Odegaard of Austin, Krystel Morton of Austin, Amanda Luna of Bloomington, Minnesota, Corey Newell of Austin and Amanda (Jacob) Schmidt of Rochester; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jerry (Mary) Putratz of Millville, Minnesota, Betty (Carl) Hanson of Stewartville, Minnesota, Bryan (Bev) Thaut of Rochester and Nita (Larry) Jung of Ankeny, Iowa; and many wonderful nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lauren; sister-in-law, Merna; granddaughter, Heidi Newell; great-grandson, Carter Newell; and son-in-law, Andy Luna.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with the Rev. Dr. Chad Johnson of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church officiating.  Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7 and for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the Worlein Funeral Home. A Masonic service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7 at Worlein Funeral Home. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery in Rochester at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the family. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.