Racine- William John Korako, age 80, passed away at Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints Medical Center on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 following a brief struggle with an aggressive form of cancer.
Bill was born in Szendro Borsod, Hungary on November 2, 1933 to the late Frank and Anne (nee: Molnar) Korako. Bill lost his birth mother (Anne) at an early age and was raised by his step mother, Magda. He will now have the benefit of being reunited with both of them. After WWII, as an early teen, he immigrated with his family to the United States. Although he was always proud of his Hungarian heritage, Bill was faithful to his new home country by voluntarily serving with the United States Army from 1953-55. Shortly after arriving at his permanent duty station with the 78th Engineer Group at Fort Lewis, WA, Bill volunteered to support our countries Atomic weapons testing program by transferring to Camp Desert Rock, NV. It was there that Bill witnessed & provided support efforts for multiple atmospheric atomic detonations.
On November 23, 1968 in St. Edward Catholic Church, he was united in marriage with the love of his life, Lois Jane (nee: Feest). Bill was employed by the JI Case Company from 1966 until his retirement in 1996, he was a member of the Case 20 Year Club.
He was an active member of St. Lucy Catholic Church. Bill will be remembered for being a self-taught builder, home improvement, and small engine expert who was always willing to lend a hand with a project …even well into his late 70’s. Always on the go, the only thing he didn’t know how to do – was to sit back and relax! Family was Bill’s everything in life and he was happiest when in the surroundings of all his loved ones. As a husband, father and grandfather, Bill lived by two very simple principles in life, you must earn your own way through hard work and you must provide a stable foundation for your family, regardless of what life has given you.
Surviving are his loving wife of 45 years, Lois; their children, Michelle (Vincent) Estrada and John (Amy) Korako; grandchildren, Owen Estrada, Roman & Tanner Korako; sisters, Magda (Les) Szabo and Helen Korako; sister-in-law, Bernice Feest; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends – too numerous to mention by name.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 12:00 noon in St. Lucy Catholic Church, 3101 Drexel Avenue, with Rev. Mark R. Jones officiating. Military honors & and a luncheon will follow. Private entombment will take place in the crypts of Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum, Hwy 32 on Monday, March 24. Visitation will be in the church on Saturday from 10 am -12 noon. Memorials to the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls (mercyhome.org), the National Association of Atomic Veterans (naav.com) or the American Cancer Society have been suggested.
A special note of thanks to the Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints 3B Oncology & Hospice staff along with Dr. Rayani for the compassionate care and wonderful support extended during the past few weeks. May God continue to bless all of you each and every day, your efforts truly made a difference at the end of Bill’s journey in Life!
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