William Joseph Olcheski Sr.

William J. Olcheski Sr., a talented author and editor, known for his sense of humor and kindness, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 3, 2018. He was born on July 20, 1925 and raised in Dickson City, PA. As a teenager, he wanted to serve his country and went to the recruitment office when he was 17 so he could be immediately accepted on his 18th birthday. He courageously served in the US Army in World War II and participated in the invasion of the Philippines and Okinawa as part of the 96th Deadeye Infantry Division. He also served in the US Air Force during the Korean War, assigned as the Public Information Officer in Palm Beach, FL. It was there that he met Rosemary, the love of his life. A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, his career highlights include being the founding editor of Federal Times newspaper, Senior speechwriter for the Chairman of the FDIC, owner/founder of Olcheski Enterprises and a well-regarded expert and author on stamp collecting. He was struck with polio when he was in his twenties and was paralyzed. He spent nine months in the hospital determined to walk again and successfully beat the odds for recovery. He was a devoted husband and father, survived by four children: Julie Stirling (Bob Bakley), Bill Olcheski Jr. (Renee), Cathy Ahrendsen (Mark) and Sue Robson (Bill), 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and his sister, Patricia Wilhelmi and daughter-in-law Nancy Greenstreet. He is predeceased by Rosemary, his beloved wife of 62 years, and his son Jim who passed away in January, 2018. Bill and Rosemary resided in Falls Church for 53 years and were active members of St. James Catholic Church. For the past ten years, he resided at Ashby Ponds Retirement Community where he had a large network of friends and led the writer’s group and a stamp collecting club. Visitation will be held at Murphy Funeral Home in Falls Church, VA on Friday, July 20, 2018 from 5 - 8PM. A funeral Mass will be held at St. James Catholic Church on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at 1 p.m. There will also be a memorial service at Ashby Ponds Retirement Community on Monday, July 23, 2018 at 10:15 a.m. in the Great Oak Theater. Final interment with full military honors begins at 1:00PM on Friday, April 12, 2019 at Arlington National Cemetery.