William Curtis "Yank" Yankausky, Jr., of Dixon, was born on April 15, 1945, in Helena, Montana, the son of William Curtis, Sr. and Pauline Ann (Skrzypek) Yankausky. Yank departed this life at 8:50 p.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013, in the Phelps County Regional Medical Center, Rolla, Missouri. Yank had attained the age of 67 years, 9 months and 28 days.

Yank was preceded in death by his father on November 11, 1992; his mother on April 16, 1987 and one sister, Jeanne Lynn Bridger on January 22, 2013.

Yank was a United States Army veteran having served over 13 years and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. During his military career he was awarded and entitled to wear the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Service Star; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device; Air Medal (Num 1-7); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea); the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm (Unit); Combat Infantryman Badge; NCO Academy Graduate; Presidential Unit Citation (Korea) 5 Overseas Bars; Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Unit Citation with OLC; Valorous Unit Citation; Drill Sergeant Badge; the Good Conduct Medal (three awards); and the Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon.

Yank was baptized and a member of the St. Robert Church of Christ, a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No 1003, Jefferson City and the American Legion Post No 298, Dixon. He enjoyed fishing and gardening and being with people.

Those left to mourn the passing of Yank include: one son, William "Will" Yankausky, III, Jefferson City, Missouri; one daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Jim Transue, Lawrence, Kansas; 2 step daughters, Carrie Gonzales and Shannon Varisconi, both of the state of Connecticut; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Judith and Thomie Williams, Oakland, Tennessee; Irene and Bernard Daniels, Waynesville, Missouri and Janet and Dennis Krug, Greeley, Colorado; brother-in-law, Charles Bridger, Hurst, Texas; and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were conducted for Yank at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 19, 2013, in the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Chapel, Dixon, Missouri with Randall Duvall, St. Robert Church of Christ officiating. Full military honors were held immediately following the funeral service.

Interment will be held at a later date in the St. John's Cemetery in Collinsville, Illinois.

Memorials are suggested to the Veterans of Foreign Wars with envelopes available at the Long-Kloeppel Funeral Home, Dixon, Missouri.