In Memory Of
William Salzer
1911
2012
William Salzer
May 16, 1911 — March 4, 2012
William Salzer, known as Bill to his friends and Uncle Willy to his family, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at Midland Hospice Care at the age of 100. He was born on May 16, 1911 in Hastings, Nebraska to Stephan and Mary (Galler) Salzer. William and his family moved to Topeka when he was 3 years old. He grew up in East Topeka and the Oakland area.
In February of 1942, Bill joined the U.S. Navy. During boot camp, he trained as a range fire operator. He was assigned to the USS Augusta, a North Hampton Class Heavy Cruiser, in the Anti-Air Craft Division in May of 1942, which he served aboard during the invasion of WWII. William was honorably discharged on September 7, 1945.
Bill married Virginia Chilson, the love of his life, on October 26, 1934 in Topeka. She preceded him in death in 1968.
Bill built his own house, performing all the work except the brickwork himself. There, he raised cattle and crops. Bill sold the farm in 1964 after Virgi became sick. They moved into a home in town where he remained until his death. After moving into town, he purchased three lots in Oakland so that he could continue to raise tomatoes and sweet corn. Bill walked daily and still continued doing all his own yard work. He loved baking and always made his own bread, which he continued to do until just a few years ago. He loved children, especially babies. He had a wonderful sense of humor.
Bill worked at Hall Lithograph for 25 years and was a member of the International Typographical Union of North America. He went to work for the Topeka Capital Journal in 1957, where he was a floor man in the composing room make up. He retired in the mid 1980's.
Bill is survived by one sister-in-law, Martha Salzer, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews and a large group of friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters Mary Nystrom, Katherine Corber, and Thelma Newman, and brothers Frederick, George, Albert and Robert.
Following Bill's wishes, he was cremated. He was a wonderful man with a big heart and will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town chapel is assisting with arrangements. Donations may be made to Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Cir, Topeka, KS 66606.
In February of 1942, Bill joined the U.S. Navy. During boot camp, he trained as a range fire operator. He was assigned to the USS Augusta, a North Hampton Class Heavy Cruiser, in the Anti-Air Craft Division in May of 1942, which he served aboard during the invasion of WWII. William was honorably discharged on September 7, 1945.
Bill married Virginia Chilson, the love of his life, on October 26, 1934 in Topeka. She preceded him in death in 1968.
Bill built his own house, performing all the work except the brickwork himself. There, he raised cattle and crops. Bill sold the farm in 1964 after Virgi became sick. They moved into a home in town where he remained until his death. After moving into town, he purchased three lots in Oakland so that he could continue to raise tomatoes and sweet corn. Bill walked daily and still continued doing all his own yard work. He loved baking and always made his own bread, which he continued to do until just a few years ago. He loved children, especially babies. He had a wonderful sense of humor.
Bill worked at Hall Lithograph for 25 years and was a member of the International Typographical Union of North America. He went to work for the Topeka Capital Journal in 1957, where he was a floor man in the composing room make up. He retired in the mid 1980's.
Bill is survived by one sister-in-law, Martha Salzer, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews and a large group of friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters Mary Nystrom, Katherine Corber, and Thelma Newman, and brothers Frederick, George, Albert and Robert.
Following Bill's wishes, he was cremated. He was a wonderful man with a big heart and will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. Penwell-Gabel Mid Town chapel is assisting with arrangements. Donations may be made to Midland Care Hospice Services, 200 SW Frazier Cir, Topeka, KS 66606.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Salzer, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 1
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors