William P. Kitchka

Bill was the loving husband to Emily Thoma Kitchka and they were married 61 wonderful years. He leaves his family to cherish his memory; his children, daughter Marcia Kitchka, son, Daniel Kitchka, and his two grandsons, Andrew Kitchka, and Matthew Kitchka. He also leaves his daughter-in-law, Nancy (Rick) Hamlin, brother in-law, Paul (Janet) Thoma, sister-in-law, Ruth (Robert) Smith, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Anna (Kuklis) Kitchka, and his sister, Irene Kitchka Mangold.

Bill grew up in Muskegon Hts. and graduated from Muskegon Hts. High School with honors in 1941. He was also a tackle for the Muskegon Hts. Tigers football team. After graduation, Bill followed his father's footsteps and began work as a meat cutter for A&P grocery stores. He worked for A&P for 34 years. He also served in the US Army for six years following WWII ending his service with the rank of sergeant. He was in the infantry and also marched in a special parade unit and was a member of the pistol team. He was designated the title of rifle sharpshooter.

While working at the Hts. A&P, with his father, Paul, he met Emily Thoma. They worked in the same store for five years, before they finally went out on their first date. They were married just six months later!

Bill and Emily were an instant couple even though their families had different backgrounds. In fact, after a disagreement within the families about the type of wedding reception, they talked about eloping. But fortunately compromises were made, and they were married on October 20, 1951 at the First Pilgrim Church of Muskegon by Dr. Rev. D. F. Price.

Bill loved to dance and taught Emily how to polka. They enjoyed music and travel throughout their marriage. In 1952, they built their home on Shettler Road and began their family.

Bill was an active outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish his entire life. As a child, he fished with both of his parents. His dad, Paul, taught him how to fish for brook trout and he often took fishing trips with several of his good friends, including Paul Filka and John Moore, and many late friends including Paul E Hulka, Carl Borgula, and Steve Hulka. They fished and hunted together often. When salmon were introduced in the sixties, Bill and Emily fished for salmon on Lake Michigan. He taught his children and grandchildren much about fishing and enjoyed spending hours with them, sometimes by lantern light late into the night fishing for rainbow trout. He was an avid dog lover and we were never without a beagle or Labrador at the Kitchka house. Both dogs and children loved his gentle and playful nature. Bill was an original member of the Lutheran Church League bowlers and bowled regularly at Maple Lanes for many years.

He also loved to travel and camp and visited much of the US and parts of Canada with his family. He and Emily took several cruises and visited Hawaii three times. He also enjoyed attending sporting events to watch his grandsons.

Bill loved to play cards. For the past several years he and Emily played each week with Paul and Ada Filka, and Lavern Borreson and his late wife Irene. They spent many hours, laughs, and a few cents playing together. He played cribbage well and taught both his children and grandsons how to play.

Bill was a man of great faith. He was a lifetime member of Dr. Martin Luther Lutheran Church. He served on church council many years and was active in the church's building committee. He loved God deeply and lived his life in quiet devotion. He enjoyed singing, especially at church and in the choir. He was a model of Christian virtue for his children and grandchildren. He walked the walk, even though he seldom talked the talk. He was kind to all and his family never heard or saw him argue, complain, or put-down another human being. He led us to faith through demonstration, instead of preaching.

Bill took great pleasure and pride in his two grandsons. He never missed a sporting event, theatrical play, or choir performance if possible and often told others about his grandsons! He loved Sunday dinners with the family and anytime we could all be together. In his later years, especially, he would tell us great stories about his adventures hunting, fishing, and good times from his past spent with family and friends.

He will be sadly missed, yet we all know how fortunate we have been to have had him in our lives as husband, father, and grandfather. He will be with us each day in our memories and hearts. We rejoice that he is in his heavenly home with his loved ones and our Savior.