He graduated from St. Bonaventure High School and in 1937 played on the St. Bonaventure High School State Qualifying Basketball Team. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII from December 23, 1940 - September 13, 1945 as a Staff Sgt. Bill landed at Omaha Beach and later was stationed in England. He married Eleanor Kelly on March 23, 1945 in England. When the War was over, Bill & Eleanor built the Redwood Motel in Osceola, Nebraska which they owned & operated. They later sold the motel and Bill and his brother Frank started the Ron DE Voo Lounge in Columbus. Bill later bought the William Brothers Monument Co which they later changed to Columbus Monument until he retired in 1980. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Bill & Eleanor enjoyed Husker Football and playing cards and later Bill enjoyed fishing, and socializing at the Senior Center.
He is survived by:
Daughter: Kathi Gonka of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Donna (Mike) Kruse of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Jennifer (Randy) Peterson of Paxton, NE
Son: Kenneth (Carmella) Gonka of Wilmington, NC
Sister: Rose Dolan of Lincoln, NE
Sister: Helen Mimick of Stromsburg, NE
Nine Grandchildren
Eight Great Grandchildren
He was preceded by:
Wife: Eleanor Gonka
Father: Gregory L Gonka
Mother: Mary Gonka
Infant Daughter: Jacque Gonka
Sister: Valeria Murcek
Brother: Frank Gonka
He graduated from St. Bonaventure High School and in 1937 played on the St. Bonaventure High School State Qualifying Basketball Team. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII from December 23, 1940 - September 13, 1945 as a Staff Sgt. Bill landed at Omaha Beach and later was stationed in England. He married Eleanor Kelly on March 23, 1945 in England. When the War was over, Bill & Eleanor built the Redwood Motel in Osceola, Nebraska which they owned & operated. They later sold the motel and Bill and his brother Frank started the Ron DE Voo Lounge in Columbus. Bill later bought the William Brothers Monument Co which they later changed to Columbus Monument until he retired in 1980. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Catholic Church. Bill & Eleanor enjoyed Husker Football and playing cards and later Bill enjoyed fishing, and socializing at the Senior Center.
He is survived by:
Daughter: Kathi Gonka of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Donna (Mike) Kruse of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Jennifer (Randy) Peterson of Paxton, NE
Son: Kenneth (Carmella) Gonka of Wilmington, NC
Sister: Rose Dolan of Lincoln, NE
Sister: Helen Mimick of Stromsburg, NE
Nine Grandchildren
Eight Great Grandchildren
He was preceded by:
Wife: Eleanor Gonka
Father: Gregory L Gonka
Mother: Mary Gonka
Infant Daughter: Jacque Gonka
Sister: Valeria Murcek
Brother: Frank Gonka
Family Members
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