William Schierkolk was born on a farm in Odell, Nebraska on January 24, 1932. He was the first of five children (one girl and four boys). William entered the US Navy in 1950 and met his future wife, Delores, while home on leave. Delores and William married in California in 1953, where Bill was stationed and assigned to the USS Leonard F Mason, the destroyer on which he proudly served his country in the Pacific during the Korean Conflict. He earned six medals and commendations. While in California, William and Delores gave birth to their first child. After his honorable discharge in 1953, William worked at the United States Post Office in Los Angeles and attended school to become a diesel mechanic.
William, Delores and their daughter moved to Westminster, Colorado in 1955 and soon added two sons and another daughter to their family. Bill obtained a job with Denver’s International Harvester Company as a truck mechanic specializing in automatic transmissions. In the 1970’s William and Delores created and built a small subdivision in Westminster, which they named Green Acre. William retired from International Harvester in the early 1980’s to manage their rental properties, which he did for the next three decades.
During his later years, Bill enjoyed coffee at McDonalds, Sunday church services, and feeding the wildlife at his home. He was an avid collector of antiques and unique collectibles. In 2009, he traveled to Germany to seek, and successfully find, his family roots in the Hannover area.
William enjoyed being around friends and family. He was a quiet conversationalist who preferred to listen unless the discussion was about antique firearms. He loved to share the many, many pictures he took. He was especially proud of the goony bird picture he took on Midway Island during his time in the Navy. William was a great believer in fairness and justice and did not hesitate to stand up for these values. He was a true believer in the American expression that Freedom is not Free.
William left this Earth on January 23, 2023 and celebrated his 91st birthday a few hours later in Heaven.
William was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 56 years, three siblings, and his daughter.
William is survived by two sons, a daughter, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, and a brother. He is also survived by six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, a myriad of extended family, and friends old and new. He will be missed by all.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either of the following organizations: See Quick links below.
• The Westminster Historical Society (promotes and preserves local Westminster history)
https://www.coloradogives.org/organization/WestminsterAreaMuseumandHistoricalSociety
• Tin Can Sailors (educates the public on the contributions made by Navy destroyers and those who served)
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