William A. Wilk

MSGT William (Bill) A. Wilk July 20, 1947 - November 30, 2012 Bill was born July 20th 1947 in Dowagiac County, New Hampshire. He attended Monadnock Regional High School. Bill joined the United States Army in October of 1966 and graduated basic training in February of 1967. Bill then went to serve in the Vietnam counteroffensive phase II,III,IV,V&VI /TET counteroffensive/ TET 69 counteroffensive. While serving in Vietnam Bill was the recipient of 3 Purple Heart Awards. Bill left the service at the end of 1969 and then re-enlisted in July of 1971 were he received his training in EOD and served until he retired in April of 1991. After retiring from the Army he worked as a consultant with Environmental Chemical Corp. where he worked in the Kuwaiti desert removing unexploded ordinance left by the Iraqi Army for 2 years. Bill then worked at Intel for many years. Bill loved motorcycles and riding where ever he could. He was a Ride Captain for the N.M. Patriot Guard Riders and attended many missions honoring his fellow veterans and active duty military. Whether it was saying goodbye or welcoming troops home he stood tall and proud. Bill is survived by his Life Partner Sylvia Koepke Rude, her children, Audrey Lujan and Drew Koepke, and two daughters, Stacey Lee Wilk and Shannon Dee Wilk.. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, December 15, 2012 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the American Legion Post 118, 1500 Barbara Loop SE, Rio Rancho, NM. In lieu of flowers it is requested that donations be made in memory of William A. Wilk to: New Mexico Patriot Guard Riders, P.O. Box 1633, Cuba, NM 87013 or Paws & Stripes, P.O. Box 46253, Rio Rancho, NM 87174. Daniels Family Funeral Services 2400 Southern Blvd Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-891-9192