Robert Valentine Price Sr., age 86, of King, Wisconsin died December 16, 2008 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin.

Masonic services will be held prior to Memorial services at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2008 at Roseberry's Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Military rites will be offered by the Adams County Firing Squad. Pastor Wayne Schwanke will officiate. Interment will be at the Mt. Repose Cemetery, Friendship, Wisconsin at a later date. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. on Friday at Roseberry's Funeral Home.

Robert was born on November 2, 1922, to Conrad and Hazel (Spice) Price in Adams, a place where he resided for sixty years.

He graduated from Adams-Friendship High School in 1940. While in high school, he participated in band, glee club, mixed chorus, football, and was senior class president. After graduation, he decided to make railroading his career, learning telegraphy at Adams and hiring out on the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad on July 31, 1941.

Robert joined the U.S. Army on June 24, 1944 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, participated in the liberation of Normandy, and received battle stars and medals for battles in the European African Middle Eastern Theater. He returned to the states in June of 1946 and was honorably discharged. In 2002, he received a commendation from France for his engagement in the Normandy Liberation during 1944-45.

He returned to work for the C&NW Railroad in Baraboo, Milwaukee, and Adams, retiring as chief dispatcher in 1982 after forty one years of service.

On November 8, 1947, he married his neighbor and long-time friend, Phyllis Marjorie Ueker. They resided in Adams and had three children, Robert Jr., Catherine, and Conrad. Robert and Phyllis were married for 59 years until Phyllis passed away in 2007.

Robert was active in the Masonic Lodge, being raised to master mason on March 15, 1944 in Adams. On September 3, 2004, he received a certificate for 60 years of meritorious service. He was a 32^nd degree mason, receiving the Scottish Rite in 1974, and became a Zor Shriner also in 1974. He also was a member of the VFW Post in Adams and American Legion Post.

He enjoyed fishing gardening, traveling, and visiting with his grandchildren, Jennifer, David, Courtney, and Melissa. In September of this year, he celebrated his only great grandchild, Caleb Robert.

He is preceded in death by his father, Conrad Price in 1982; his mother, Hazel Price, in 1951; sister, Catherine, in 1926; and wife, Phyllis, in 2007.

Survivors:

Son: Robert (Nancy) Price of Adams, Wisconsin

Daughter: Catherine (Gregory) Frye of Oregon, Wisconsin

Son: Conrad Price of Freemont, Wisconsin

Grandchild: Jennifer Murphy of Janesville, Wisconsin

Grandchild: Courtney Price of Adams, Wisconsin

Grandchild: David (Jennifer) Murphy of Sauk City, Wisconsin

Grandchild: Melissa Price of Adams, Wisconsin

Great-Grandchild: Caleb Price of Adams, Wisconsin