Obit: Kozlowski, Willard "Bill" Paul (1936 - 2009)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Kozlowski, Jagielo, Norman, Russell, Mitchell, Hagge, Hernandez, Schuett, Mazurek, Severson, Gullingsrud 
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) September 16, 2009 
 

Kozlowski, Willard "Bill" Paul (18 December 1936 - 10 September 2009) With Flag 
 

Willard "Bill" Kozlowski, 72, of Bemidji, MN, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at the North Country Regional Hospital, Bemidji, MN. 
 

Willard "Bill" Paul Kozlowski was born Dec. 18, 1936, in Pray to Walter and Valeria (Jagielo) Kozlowski.  He attended High School where he met his future wife, Betsy.  Bill left home in 1954 at age 17 to join the United States Air Force.  He furthered his education while enlisted, attaining an Associates degree.  Feb. 28, 1958, he married Betsy Norman. Bill and Betsy were blessed with five beautiful daughters, Sherry (Gary) Russell, Karen (Patrick) Mitchell, Jill (Bob) Hagge, Kristi (Jody) Hernandez and Lauren (Whitey Schuett) Kozlowski. 
 

His service career spanned 21½  years.  He attained the rank of chief master sergeant.  Chief master sergeant is the ninth and highest enlisted rank in the Air Force.  His primary focus involved the maintenance of Minuteman ICBM missiles. After retiring from the Air Force, the family moved to Waubun, MN.  Bill picked up other occupations including driving school bus for the Waubun school district.  He did take time out to hunt and fish.  This forged lasting friendships and memories. 
 

May 31, 1992, at age 54, Bill met Jesus Christ in a personal, life-changing way.  He was overwhelmed by love and forgiveness.  He returned God’s love with a passion. Bill enlisted in the service of the Lord.  His newfound strength, love and knowledge flowed to the rest of us.  He also joined ranks with the Gideon to extend God’s Word to others. 
 

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at the age of 72, Bill died in the body.  His spirit was set free to be with his Lord.  He left behind his loving wife, of 51 years, Betsy M. Kozlowski of Bemidji; daughters, Sherry (Gary) Russell of Bemidji, Karen (Patrick) Mitchell of Callaway, MN, Jill (Bob) Hagge of Bemidji, Kristi (Jody) Hernandez of Ludington, MI and Lauren (Whitey Schuett) Kozlowski of Perham, MN; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandson; one brother, Edwin Kozlowski of Black River Falls, aunts, an uncle, cousins, nieces and nephews. 
 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Kozlowski and Valeria Mazurek; brother, Donald Kozlowski, and sister, Barbara Severson. 
 

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at the Evangelical Covenant Church, Bemidji, MN, with Pastor Norm Gullingsrud and Gary Russell officiating. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. 
 

Arrangements are entrusted to the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji, MN. 
 

Visit our online guestbook at www.olson-schwartzfuneralhome.com.