Ray W. Brier

ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin

Ray W. Brier

1930s

Harley motorcycle operated by Officer Raymond W. Brier, patrolling the streets in the 1930s.

1966 Ray W. Brier, Ex-officer, is Stricken

04 08 Raymond W. (Flate) Brier, 67, of 610 South Twelfth Street, a former Watertown police officer and one of the city's most widely known and liked residents, died yesterday afternoon at his home following a heart attack.

He was a native of Appleton and was born Nov. 30, 1898, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry Brier. He had lived in Watertown the past 64 years.

He was married here on Aug. 3, 1929 to Miss June Biefeld. She survives as do two daughters, Mrs. Arnold W. Strege and Miss Jean Brier [married name Bohnert], of Watertown. There is also one son-in-law, Arnold W. (Bud) Strege and four granddaughters, Rae Ann, Darla Kae, Kim Susan and Leah Jean Strege.

A sister-in-law, Mrs. Herbert Brier, resides in Grand Rapids, Mich., and there are numerous nieces and nephews.

Carpenter by Trade

Mr. Brier had been a carpenter by trade and for many years was a member of the Watertown Police Department from which he retired in 1946.

He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Carpenters Union Local.

Mr. Brier was a man who enjoyed the outdoors, the woods and waters and in his younger years was active in skating, hockey and other sports and frequently refereed Rock River hockey matches here. His friendships extended throughout the city and beyond.

Children, in the days when he served as a motorcycle officer, here knew him as a friend and he was popular with "the little kids" of the community. They looked up to him and respected him.

The funeral will be Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at St. John's Church, the Rev. Paul R. Schroeder officiating. Interment will be in the Lutheran Cemetery.

Friends may pay their respects at the Hafemeister Funeral Home on Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m. and on Monday before 10 a.m., after which the body will be in state at the church beginning at 11 a.m.

Cross References:

1935, Member of Watertown Police Dept