Cover photo for Mr. William N. Bolker's Obituary
Mr. William N. Bolker Profile Photo
1938 Mr. William 2017

Mr. William N. Bolker

February 3, 1938 — February 25, 2017

William N. Bolker

age 79, Born on February 3, 1938 and lived in New Lenox his entire life. He entered heaven on February 25, 2017 after a courageous, brave fight. He was a loving husband of 54 years to Claudia (Larson) and a devoted dad to daughters Beverly (Michael) Judge, Kimberly (Jerrold) Davern and Michelle (Eric) O'Neill. He was happiest when around his grandchildren, watching their sporting events or hearing of their adventures. He was an adored Papa of Alexandra (Mark) Guthrie, Morgan (Alec) Hoogland, Olivia Judge, Cailey, Jack and Lauren Davern and Connor, Billy, Brock, and Eli O'Neill. Brother to Mildred Erickson. Preceded in death by his parents Robert and Mary and brothers, Robert and Rudy and one grandson, Michael Edward O'Neill. Bill served in the Marine Corp reserves for 6 years. He was a passionate and gifted land developer and builder. The growth of New Lenox and the Lincoln-Way area were greatly impacted due to his vision, influence and desire for high quality housing and development. Bill loved New Lenox and believed in giving back to the community where he was raised and where he raised his family. He and his wife Claudia built and donated the Performing Art Pavilion as a gift to the residents which has become a gathering place for the community to enjoy July 4th fireworks, concerts throughout the summer and other special events. Bill was well known for his generosity, his hospitality, his desire to do everything with excellence, his incredible mind for business and his deep love of his family and friends. He and Claudia enjoyed spending their winters at their home at The Hideaway in Fort Meyers FL surrounded by many treasured friends from the New Lenox area. He enjoyed golfing, traveling and entertaining, but most of all, planning his next development or project. After starting his own business just after graduating from Lincoln-Way High School in 1956, he was a builder, contractor, and land developer for close to 60 years. As Founder and President of Lincoln-Way Builders and Lincoln-Way Development, he built over 1200 homes, townhouse, and apartments in the Lincoln-Way area and developed an additional 1300 lots. He was also the developer and general contractor of many shopping centers, office buildings and businesses throughout New Lenox and the surrounding area. He was a past member and Past President of the following: New Lenox Lions Club, the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce, the Will-Grundy Home Builders Association, and the Greater Chicago Home Builders Association. Although he never attended summer camp, Bill believed it was life changing in the formative years of his daughters and grandchildren. To honor him, we have established the Bill Bolker Memorial Scholarship fund which will give the gift of summer camp at Red Pine Camp for Girls and Camp Highland for Boys in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, we ask donations may be made to: Bill Bolker Memorial Fund c/o First Bank of Manhattan or the Joliet Area Hospice Home. The family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Rd., New Lenox, IL 60451 on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Service Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 10:30 AM in the funeral home chapel. Interment Maplewood Cemetery, New Lenox, IL. Info www.kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-485-3700

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

3:00 - 9:00 pm (Central time)

Kurtz Memorial Chapel - New Lenox

102 East Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451

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Funeral Service

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)

Kurtz Memorial Chapel - New Lenox

102 East Francis Road, New Lenox, IL 60451

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Interment

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Maplewood Cemetery

, New Lenox, IL 60451

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