Wieslaw (Bill) William Wasiak

Dad and his family immigrated to the United States in 1951 by way of Siberia, Palestine, Iran and England, eventually making their home in Chicago, Illinois. He was proud to be an American.

Dad was a 20-year veteran of the United States Army. His service as a Military Policeman brought him to Europe where he met and married our mother, Thea. He spent a number of years in Europe with one tour in France and three tours to Germany. He also served two tours in Korea and one in Vietnam. Dad was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War where he earned a Bronze Star. Our father was a humble man and seldom spoke of his time there. If you asked him, he would probably tell you that his highest and most treasured honor while serving in Vietnam was a letter he received from the soldiers in his platoon thanking him for taking care of them. Dad retired from military service as a Master Sergeant in 1975 and embarked on his second career with the First National Bank of Killeen where he retired after 22 years.

Dad was a long-time member of Holy Family Catholic Church and a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

Our father was known for his love of sports, from sneaking into Selhurst Park to watch Crystal Palace F.C. play soccer as a youth to watching his Chicago Bears, White Sox and Cubs in his later years. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports and would save all of their newspaper clippings for them.

Dad was preceded in death by our mother, his parents, his brother Janusz and his daughter Thea. He is survived by three children and six grandchildren.

Our Dad’s greatest joy was his grandchildren. He loved to see them and hear about their accomplishments. Though Dad may not have liked being the center of attention, he deserves to have his long years of fatherly love honored. We love him and he will be sorely missed.

A Visitation will be held at Crawford Bowers Funeral Home on December 18, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The Recitation of the Rosary will take place on the same day from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Holy Family Catholic Church on December 19, 2025, from 11:00 am to 11:45 am.