William Carl Raisbeck February 28, 1942 ~ July 26, 2023 (age 81)

Graveside services for William Raisbeck, 81, of Portales, will be conducted at 10:30 AM, Thurs., Aug. 3, 2023 in the Mt. Zion Cemetery with Pastor Don Thomas officiating.  His grandsons, Joey Hamlin, William Rooney, James Rooney and Conner Rooney will serve as pallbearers.

William Carl Raisbeck, known to his family and friends as “Bill,” was born Feb. 28, 1942 in Charleroi, PA to the home of Mary (Celaschi) and Carl Raisbeck, and passed from this life on the morning of July 26, 2023 in Lubbock, TX.  Mr. Raisbeck grew up in Lock Four, PA, where he and his brother enjoyed an adventurous childhood.  Together, they pulled countless pranks and experienced a number of mishaps.  He was a 1960 graduate of Charleroi High School where he played football, and earned a scholarship to attend Penn State.  However, he ruptured his ACL playing basketball, and instead attended the University of California in Canonsburg, PA, graduating after just three years.

His first job was as a Chemistry teacher at Baldwin High School in Pittsburg, PA.  In addition to teaching, he attended night classes, and earned a Master’s Degree from Notre Dame in 1966.  From that point on he remained a die-hard Notre Dame fan for the rest of his life.  On Nov. 19, 1966, in Carrick, PA he was married to Catherine Ann Smith.

After resigning his teaching position, Bill began working for US Steel.  During the ensuing years he worked in various divisions of the company, and then for several other large corporations as a “Corporate Fixer.”  His work involved everything from chemicals to industrial brushes.  The product involved didn’t matter.  His strength was his people skills.

In 1989 he established United Glass.  His company produced countless glass construction projects.  Among them were the glass walls for various underwater zoo displays, allowing visitors to observe the various animals in their water habitats.  He also created a large glass wall at the San Diego Convention Center.  He took great pride in all of his projects, but he was especially proud of the animal displays at various zoos.  In 2002, he was forced to retire due to his health.

Following his decision to retire, he and his wife moved along with their daughter and son-in-law, to Portales, NM to make their home.  Since moving to Portales, he and his wife attended Central Christian Church.

In addition to his business and family involvement, Mr. Raisbeck played tennis and golf as well as taking up horseback riding.  His one and only horse was Challenger.  He also had a soft place in his heart for his dog Phoebe Soft Ears.  The only formal organization he belonged to was a club similar to Toast Master’s, known as Le Tip.  The club was designed for business networking and in addition, offered the opportunity at its monthly breakfasts to polish a person’s public speaking skills.

Mr. Raisbeck was very outgoing and friendly.  He seemed to be able to find something in common with everyone he met.  You might describe him as “Mister Personality.”  He never met a stranger, and could strike up a conversation with anyone.

He is survived by Cathy, his wife of almost 57 years; two daughters and a son-in-law, Jennifer and Brian Hamlin of Cranberry Township, PA and Julie Rooney of Portales; his seven grandchildren, Joey, Kimberly and Kate Hamlin and Caitlyn, William, James and Conner Rooney; and his current dog, Doo Rocky.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother, James Raisbeck and his son-in-law, Steve Rooney.

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