William James Drescher

William James Drescher, age 90, died on Wed. Feb. 25, 2009 at Wynnwood of Madison West.   He was born on August 20, 1918 in Craig Colorado to Frank Metcalf and Marguerite James Drescher.   He and his three siblings enjoyed a happy childhood on the family ranch.   He graduated from Colorado University in 1940 with an MS in civil engineering.   His first job was with American Bridge in Gary Indiana.   On July 15, 1941 he was united in marriage to his college sweetheart, Marcine Faunce.   Following a brief honeymoon in Chicago he began his career with the US Geological Survey, first in Miami, Florida and then Baton Rouge, Louisiana.   In 1944 he became a Navy Seabee and spent the next couple of years in the South Pacific.   Following his discharge he resumed his employment as hydrologist with the USGS, this time in Madison, WI where he remained in various capacities ending as Planning Officer for the North Central Region for the Department of Interior until he retired in 1974.   In 1958 he received a MS degree in geology from the UW Madison and taught graduate level hydrology courses at the UW in the late 50s and early 60s.   Bill spent much of his retirement at the ""Nut Farm"" in Iowa County, building a log cabin, developing spring fed ponds, keeping bees, feeding the birds and planting trees. He loved sharing the Nut Farm with family, friends and Iowa Co. neighbors.   Through the years, he and his wife of 60 years entertained countless numbers of international students, many of whom remained life long friends.   Bill was an active member of Madison West Rotary, generous with his monetary gifts, his time and his energy.   He will be remembered for his special Christmas bread, his sourdough pancakes and his yearly rendition of ""Blood on the Saddle"" sung at the Drescher family reunion camping trip in Colorado.   He is survived by his children, Jim (Margaret) Drescher of Nova Scotia, Becky (Rob) Lofdahl of Madison; grandchildren, Amy (Bill) Payne, Geoff Madding, Jonah (Tham) Drescher, Willow (Tone) Monterrosa, Marguerite (Noel McLellan) Drescher, and Will Drescher; great grandchildren, Amber (Jason Geiger) Payne, Sasha and Brianna Payne, Joaquin, Cinnamon, and Sabrina Monterrosa and Gabe McLellan; great great granddaughter Harley Marie Geiger; a wonderful extended family and friends throughout the world.   He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcine, an infant daughter, Amy Elizabeth, his AFS daughter, Gunda Sporer Oppenheimer, his parents and siblings.   The family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at Wynwood of Madison West for their loving care of ""little"" Bill, to Caryn Lessner for staying by Bill's side through it all and to the Hospice staff for their support of Bill and his family.   At this time no formal service is planned.   The family suggests memorials to HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison WI 53711, Madison West Rotary Foundation, P O Box 5174, Madison WI 53705 or any other charity of choice.   Cress Funeral & Cremation Service