JACKSONVILLE, FL, USA U.S. Army CPL, HHC, DIVISION SPECIAL TROOPS BN, 1ST CAVALRY, FORT HOOD, TX BAGHDAD, IRAQ 01/18/2007
William Joshua Rechenmacher was born January 7, 1983 and was called home Jaanuary 18, 2007. Joshua grew up in Florida and Texas. He had one son, William Douglas Rechenmacher with his first wife Lesley and another son, Jacob, with his fiancée, Brittany Sparks.
Everyone in his family agrees that serving in the military was something that Josh loved and wanted to do from a young age.
A football player and a coach to younger players, Josh graduated from Forrest High School and joined the U.S. Army when he was just 17. Trained as an Imagery Analyst, he had served for seven years, reached the rank of specialist and volunteered for a second tour in Iraq when he died.
“Rech”, to his follow soldiers, was the guy everyone knew and loved and he loved being a soldier. He possessed a cheerful spirit and a ready smile, important traits in a combat zone. He was excited to volunteer as a truck gunner and spend time as “real soldier”. In the words of someone who served with Rech during his first tour, “he served with a burning fervor, always volunteering for patrol duty as he thought he was the right soldier to protect us all from danger. He was quick to take on the most dangerous assignments, as if this was his purpose for being in Iraq. He never complained about assuming his role as a gunner in a convoy; rather, he welcomed the challenge.”
He was a friend, a best friend. He was someone who truly looked out for and cared for others. He was someone who laughed and had a good time with his friends. He wore a cowboy hat and t-shirts that made people laugh – the cowboy from Florida. He opened up his home to others who needed it whether they were alone for the holidays to just going through a rough time. He went out of his way to make newcomers feel welcome. He was a great solder and an exemplary individual.
He is also missed by his mother and step-father, Joanne and Ronald Gutcher; his father and step-mother, Rhett and LeAnne Rechenmacher; his beloved sister, Sara Arthur (Bradley); his half-sister, Zoe Rechenmacher; 5 step-brothers, Owen and Evan Combs, Ronald, Jr., Robert and Ryan Gutcher; his paternal grandparents, Barbara Kindred (Doug), and William Rhett Rechenmacher, Sr. (Carlene); his best friend Brandon York; four uncles, Glenn Williams, David Williams, Robert Smith, David Rechenmacher ; a nephew and a niece (God-daughter), 6 cousins, extended family members and friends.
(Sources: Published in the Florida Times-Union from January 25 to January 26, 2007; Guest Book at Legacy.net)