William Wieczorek

World War II Veteran

Bill Wieczorek died in his home on Monday, January 29, 2024.  He was 101 years old.  He was born in Sauk Centre, Minnesota on August 28, 1922, to Erma Axtell.  His mother married Al Wieczorek when Bill was 7 years old, and he became his stepfather.  Bill was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota.  As a young boy he enjoyed playing baseball and tinkering with crystal-sets and radios.  When he was older his stepfather bought him an Indian motorcycle.  Bill served in the Navy during World War II.  He was stationed on New Caledonia in the south Pacific.  He then went to minesweeping school in Little Creek, Virginia.  He served on a minesweeper in the Atlantic off the east coast.  Bill married Glennavon Ireland in 1946.  They had one daughter, Nancy.  Glennavon passed away in 1969.  Bill married Sharon Rachuy in 1970. Bill was a letter pressman for over 30 years.  His work was always outstanding and precise.  He always got the tough jobs.  He was a perfectionist and very detail oriented.  Bill rarely saw an antique that he didn’t like.  He loved digging through boxes at garage sales and flea markets.  He enjoyed cleaning and restoring old things.  He worked in his garage until he was almost 100.  Before he moved to Nevada, he had 6 antique Indian motorcycles and one BMW motorcycle in his garage.  Sadly, he sold the 6 Indians, but they helped pay for his Nevada home.  Bill was mentally sharp up until almost the very end of his life.  He read the entire newspaper daily, watched the news, and knew what was going on in the world.  He did not look his age.  In 1987 Bill and Sharon moved to Boulder City.  They were tired of Minnesota winters.  Bill dearly missed his late wife, Sharon, who passed away a year and a half ago.  A very special thank you to Maria Hernandez for her loving and thoughtful caregiving, friendship, and companionship.  Special thanks to her family: Luis, Erika, Brian, Courtney, and Zach for all their loving kindness.  A huge thanks to Boulder City Police Officers, Jay, and Pete for their many visits and kind acts.  A thank you to Boulder City Police Volunteer, Cherrie, for all her visits, calls, and concerns.  A very special thank you to Dr. Warren Smith for all his visits and many years of friendship.  Bill is survived by daughter, Nancy (Bill) Cunnien of Woodbury, Minnesota, Grandson, Michael of Woodbury, Minnesota and Patrick of Denver, Colorado.  A memorial service and internment will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at noon at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.