The Bill Wilczynski Memorial Golf Outing

William J. Wilczynski, III, better known as “White Sox Bill” and “ServProBill,” was born in Chicago, grew up in Chicago Heights, and called Ashkum, Illinois home. He graduated from Marian Catholic High School in 1973 and Quincy College in 1977, where he studied Political Science and History. Bill was a huge fan of the Chicago White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, and Northwestern Wildcats football. He loved golfing, fishing in Minnesota, trivia, reading history, and watching movies.

Bill spent 25 years living in downtown Chicago at Marina Towers, enjoying meals at his favorite spots like Smith & Wollensky, Italian Village, Gene and Georgetti, and The Palm. He was passionate about cooking and once said, “Cooking is my meditation, my art. It brings me happiness, relaxation, greater self-awareness, boosted confidence and so much more.”

Earlier in his career, Bill lived the life people only dreamed of, as he worked at Lloyd’s of London and lived in London for some time. In 2013, he switched gears and took on the role of Ambassador of Marketing and Sales at ServPro Team Nichols. Over the next 10 years, he made many friends, especially among his coworkers and the Fire Chiefs of Kankakee and Iroquois Counties, whom he considered family.

In his later years, Bill enjoyed the peace of small-town life, relaxing on his front porch, planting flowers, and displaying his flags. He reflected, “It’s been one year since I moved. Whether it’s being where you live or lived, where you work or worked, whom you’ve met or will meet, something or someone new, like these blooms that I’ve just seen in my yard, makes me think of what is next on my journey and where it will take me.”

I’ve included a quote from Bill’s most revered paragon, Julius Ceaser.

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” His words remind us that living life with courage and conviction allows us to face the end with dignity, knowing we have truly lived.