TOPOR, William R., MSgt. USAF (Age 82) “I will meet you when my chores are done” Love, me. by Collin Raye After fighting a valiant four year battle with Multiple Myeloma, along with the loss of his beloved wife, Carole, Bill passed away peacefully at Holy Family Hospital on November 26, 2020 due to heart failure. Thanksgiving was Carole’s most special day of the year. So it was a fitting end to their love story that she reached down from heaven and gave Bill his angel wings on this Thanksgiving. We are so grateful and blessed knowing that Dad is now reunited with Mom. Bill was born at home on November 6, 1938 to Rose and Michael Topor in Chicopee Falls, MA, the first of six children. He joined the USAF after high school, enjoying 20 years of service that took our family to many places around the states. And, yes, Dad was very proud to be a Vietnam Veteran! After retiring from the USAF, he went on to be a US Postal Worker for another 20 years. After retiring, Dad found many ways to keep busy. He always loved to walk, visiting everyone as they always remembered the mailman! Dad loved sharing jokes, he always seemed to have a few in his pocket. He did have his own joke that he used for years, it drove everyone crazy. When it was time to go home, Dad would holler “Sam! Joe! Let’s go!” When we ran up to Dad, friends asked where his boys were, he’d reply “Oh, Sam is short for Samantha and Joe is for Josephine!” He just loved that line! Bill was stationed at the air base in Othello, WA when he met and married his one true love, Carole J. Koch on August 20, 1960. They had two daughters, Jenne (Roy) Lamb and Jeanne (Kevin) Franklin, and two grandchildren, Josh and Amanda. He is also survived by his brothers, Louie and Johnny. Bill also leaves behind his dear friend of 56 years, Ray Czahor, who he met in the Philippines! Bill was preceded in death by his wife Carole, sisters Barbara and Gladys, brother Michael Jr., and numerous others, including his favorite cat, Sergio. Our family would like to thank dad’s amazing circle of friends, especially Ron and Glade, along with the rest of the gals and guys at the Shadle Park McDonalds, the 5 Mile’s Burger King and Rosauers. We also want to thank the staff at Holy Family Hospital, CancerCare NW, and the Spokane VA Medical Center for their outstanding care. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date. Bill will be interred at the WA State Veteran’s Cemetary in Medical Lake. In lieu of flowers, donations made to any Veteran’s organization would surely make Bill proud. Godspeed, Dad.
Published in Spokesman-Review on Dec. 13, 2020.
Published at Sun, 13 Dec 2020 06:22:30 +0000