Willis Wichlei Obituary

Willis "Bill" Jones Wichlei SALUDA, NC - Willis Jones Wichlei, belovedly known as Bill, Dad, and Dada by family and friends, most recently of Saluda, NC, but a long time resident of Charleston, SC passed away at the young age of 73 on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 3:15 pm. He died in the presence of his family at the Medical University of South Carolina in the Ashley River Tower ICU after many months of battling esophageal cancer. Bill was born in Binghamton, NY on September 28th, 1937. He was the son of John Jones Wichlei and Rose N Wichlei. Bill grew up in Miami Beach Florida and spent his early education years at Staunton Military academy in Virginia. He attended college at VMI (Virginia Military Institute), where he earned a degree in Electrical engineering. He later attended The Citadel and earned his MBA. Bill worked for Vitro Laboratories for 33 years as the Manager of Operations at the Charleston Naval Base. He later held positions with Tracore and Northstar. Bill was married to the love of his life, Linda Jean Warner, on November 10th, 1962 in Columbus, GA. They lived in Silver Springs MD and Charleston SC. Bill most recently moved to Saluda NC. Bill enjoyed being active in life, his hobbies included cars, boats, jogging, fishing, scuba diving, golfing, Sudoku, crosswords and so much more. He loved working with his hands. Bill was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus in Hendersonville, NC. He devoted most of his energy to increasing fellowship within the council and managing their major charitable event Op Lamb. Previously Bill was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church where he Lectured for many years and served the Church by Chairing the School Board. Bill always had the ability to light up a room with his upbeat personality and witty sense of humor. He greeted everyday people with a smile and a positive attitude and usually made their day in some way. Bill is survived by his wife Linda Wichlei of Daniel Island SC; his three children, daughter Christy Monteith and Husband Edmund of Blythewood SC, son Bill Wichlei of Lexington SC, and son Brian Wichlei of Ormond Beach Florida; his six grandchildren, Brandon Bogle, Krystyna Bogle, Zachary Wichlei, Allyson Wichlei, Grant Wichlei, and Ian Wichlei; his step brother Richard Wichlei of Madison WI; his father-in-law Woodrow Wilson Warner of Johnson City TN; his sisters and brothers in law Carol and Tom Foster, Sandy and Larry Hudson and their children Gregg, Michelle, Lea and John Paul; and many many friends. He is predeceased by his Mother-in-Law Christine Virginia Warner October 1988 and his nephew David Warner Hudson December 13th, 2007. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday May 21st, 2011 at 11: am in the chapel of McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 1520 RIFLE RANGE ROAD, MT. PLEASANT, SC. A rosary will be recited on Friday May 20th, 2011 at 6:pm with a visitation to follow at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge or to esophageal research at https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate/ or at (877) 227-2345. We want to thank the many doctors and Nurses and staff at MUSC that gave Bill such great care these last few weeks and months. Dad found such joy in bringing a smile to the face of everyone he came in contact with even in his most challenging days and hours. Dad's last words to his grandchildren are no no ja tez cie Kocham! (Polish for no no I love you.) Arrangements by McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT. PLEASANT CHAPEL (843) 884-3833. Online condolences to the Wichlei family via WWW.McALISTERSMITH.COM Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/ deaths