Memorials › William Raymond “Bill” Cernohlavek
William Raymond “Bill” Cernohlavek
12 May 1923 – 23 Feb 2017
| Birth | 12 May 1923 |
| Death | 23 Feb 2017 |
| Cemetery | Sunset Memorial Gardens Billings , Yellowstone County , Montana , USA |
| Added by | Stephanie Law on 14 Oct 2021 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/233060757 |
Bio
William "Bill" Cernohlavek left us last Saturday to a better place. The world lost, a true gentleman, a veteran, a good friend, a wonderful father, a loving husband, an amazing "Pa" and a truly kind "Great Pa." Bill was a single child born and raised in Billings. After being a member of the first graduating class of Billings Senior High he joined the army and served during World War II. He was honorably discharged after serving his country and left with many awards including two Purple Hearts. He met his wife, Joyce and they lived a wonderful life and started their entrepreneurial lifestyle early on - owning two gas stations and later owning and operating a grocery store on Billings North side. In his younger years he enjoyed bowling, flying his airplane and fishing the Stillwater. He later graduated to being a wine "Master" fermenting some of the "sweetest" wine most had ever tasted. Only a select few had the honor and privilege of experiencing communion with "Bill's wine" in the garage or the upstairs loft using mini Dixie cups. Later on Bill went to work driving truck for over twenty years logging over a million miles hauling mail. He also spent close to 1 million miles on a tractor mowing at the family cabin on the Stillwater and loved every minute of it. Some of his many accomplishments include being a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge 113 (past Master) and was a 50 year member of the Scottish Rite and Elks. Many will remember him as being one of the two Honor Flight Vets to defy the steel barrier that closed the Lincoln memorial to the general public during the government shutdown in 2013. When the two where asked about it one said "I was defending America-again" and Bill said matter-of-factly "I wanted to see it. It was great." Most certainly his greatest accomplishment, was being married to the love of his life and spending most every day by her side. William was preceded in death by his father Jerry Cenohlavek and mother Emma Seidl Cernohlavek. He is survived by his devoted wife Joyce Cernohlavek of 65 years. Daughter Debra Pulasky (John). Son Jerry Cernohlavek (Colleen). Granddaughters Brandi Visser (Shane), Joselynn Bailey (Matthew). Grandson Adam Pulasky (Kaycee). Great-granddaughters Addisyn and Kaitlyn Bailey along with many step-great-grandkids and Dolly (the cat). See ya, Pa… In accordance with Bill's wishes, no formal service will be held. Internment of Cremains for family only.
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