William A. "Bill" Potochnik

William Anton (Bill) Potochnik , 94, passed away on the 29th of May 2024. He was born on April 1, 1930, to Anton and Maria Potochnik, in Waukegan, Illinois where he was a graduate of Waukegan Township High School, Class of 1948. In 1951 he entered the service with the Army’s 796th Military Police Battalion as part of the post WW2 occupation forces or U.S. Forces Austria (USFA), eventually guarding the U.S. embassy in Vienna. Upon his return from service, he married Betty Dowden in 1954. He graduated from DeVry Technical School and worked in Lake County as an Electronics Technician for Petropolus Brothers and Columbia Audio & Video before retiring in 1993. Bill and Betty later relocated to Gurnee IL. Bill was a Life Member of both the American Legion Post #397, North Chicago, Illinois, and the Slovene National Benefit Society, Lodge 584. He loved the game of golf, having learned the game in his youth. He won the Caddie Championship at Old Elm County Club, where he once caddied for golf great Bobby Jones. He played golf for over 80 years. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed stand-up comedians and Johnny Carson. He also loved jazz music and fishing. He enjoyed living near his family where he was able to attend his Grandchildren’s band and choral concerts, iceless hockey games and other activities. Bill will always be remembered as a loving husband, proud father and grandfather, and a great friend. He is Survived by his two sons, Robert (Cheryl) Potochnik and Richard (Kathy) Potochnik; a Sister In-Law (Norma Jane) Dowden; three Grandchildren, Alison, Andrea, Ryan Potochnik; two Step Grandsons, Luke (Dorian) Zbynski, Jake (Rebecca) Zbynski; and six step Great Grandchildren, Aurora and Camila Zbynski of Florida and Hope, Ryan and Addison Zbynski and Taylor (Matthew); and one step Great Great Grandson, Silas. He also leaves several wonderful nieces and nephews and their Families. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth Ann Potochnik (nee Dowden), parents, Anton and Maria, and sister Lillian Bader. Friends may visit with the Family from 11am until 1pm on Saturday June 22nd 2024, at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 West Park Avenue, Libertyville, Illinois. Private interment will be at Lakeside Cemetary in Libertyville, Illinois at a later date. For info: 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com

William A. "Bill" Potochnik

April 1, 1930 - May 29, 2024