William Main

Obituary

William Roscoe Main was born in the small town of Tracy, Minnesota on April 18, 1922, to two special people.  Carrie May Swift was an educated, accomplished and classy lady, with a pedigree that included superintendents, lawyers and the second highest officer in the US Fish and Wildlife Department (appointed by Eisenhower himself).  Carrie's greatest achievement though was her marriage to Ross Main, Tracy native, future lawyer, and free-wheeler, who left law school to come home and help care for his family upon the death of his father.  

Dad loved and respected everything about Ross as he was about as colorful a character as you can get and still remain on the "upside" of the law.  With his law degree vaporizing, he started farming, trapping, guiding and culling chickens...anything he had to do to keep the family afloat.  This was not a time of loans, credit cards or bankruptcies... you either made it or you didn't.  Ross made it. ..and HIS greatest achievement came in the form of two sons, in 1922, William Roscoe Main, and then in 1924, James Conklin Main.  William went on to excel in academics and athletics in Tracy, leading the Tracy Scrappers basketball team to its first state tournament in any sport.  Dad vividly remembered the car caravan led by Tracy's superintendent and entire police force all the way into downtown St. Paul.  Bill "Red" Main became a favorite of the tournament crowd, being selected as a standout player by WCCO and the old Minneapolis Tribune.  Also a standout in football, our Dad proudly recalled the games when his dad, Ross, would get ejected by the referees because of his vigorous on-field objections against certain calls.   Dad would also talk fondly of Ross's starring role in the community, in particular, his lifelong tenure as the "king" of the Tracy Pool Hall, complete with a throne and a rousing reputation.  

Dad also talked with great love and esteem about his brother Jim, who enlisted in the Army.  Jim was wounded during the invasion of Normandy and sent to England to recoup. He was sent back to Europe in time for the Battle of the Bulge, where he again performed with valor, fighting foxhole to foxhole and coming home with shrapnel still in his body.  Dad would express great respect for this brother that merited the Silver Star for his bravery.  

Dad served proudly as a marine during World War II, and until his death, was still sharing stories about his time in the service.  After the war, Dad went back to excelling both in academics and athletics, earning both a Masters in Education and All-American honors in football for Colorado State.  After accepting his first teaching job in Alden, Minnesota, Bill met Burdella (Bur) Mary Meyer. They married in 1948 in Wells, Minnesota.  Together they built a beautiful life...with Dad as the motor and Mom as the rudder, they made us proud to be Mains.  

Dad went on to become an extraordinary teacher and coach, was a finalist for Minnesota Teacher of the Year, was chairman of the Minnesota Curriculum Board, and most importantly, was a favorite with the kids he taught.  

For all of his accomplishments though, he was most proud of his family. He was our best friend. He loved to roughhouse with his four children:  Stewart, Roxanne, Robert and James, who thought piling on Dad was the world’s best form of exercise.  Ahead of his time, Bill believed that girls should have the same sports opportunities as boys, and, true to his word, his daughter received a coveted baseball glove on her 5th birthday.  The family garden plot was plowed under and became the neighborhood playing field for baseball and football. Boys and girls, young and old, were invited to come, play, and learn.  Dad was always right in the middle of the scrum, usually with four or five kids hanging off him.  

We remember Dad as a champion of disenfranchised people before it was stylish to be; we remember Dad as the conservationist before that was even a word.  

William Roscoe Main died peacefully, at age 94, in Hutchinson, Minnesota.   He is survived by his partner-in­life, Burdella Mary Main, age 90; his four very lucky children, Stu (Lois), Rox (Dave), Rob (Kitura), Jim (Mary); and his adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren.