William Back

William J. "Bill" Back, 61, of 817 Prentice St., Chippewa Falls, died Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Clairemont in Eau Claire.

He was born July 19, 1949 in Chippewa Falls to Arlene (Smith) and Floyd Back. He was raised in Chippewa Falls where he attended First Ward Grade School, Chippewa Falls Junior High School and graduated from Chippewa Falls High School in 1967. He then earned an Associate's Degree in welding from the District One Vocational and Technical School in Eau Claire.

Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps. on Sept. 18, 1969. He served in Vietnam, where he was honored as the Distinguished Marine of the Month recognizing his outstanding performance against enemy forces. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal on Sept. 17, 1971.

He was employed by PACTIV in Chippewa Falls, where he took great personal pride in his work for 42 years until he was diagnosed with lung cancer on July 27, 2010.