Willie Karowski
September 3, 1928 — June 28, 2014
Longtime San Antonio resident Willie Bill' Karowski was called home to be with the Lord on June 28, 2014 at the age of 85, after a long and courageous battle with several illnesses. Willie was born on September 3, 1928 in Hearne, Texas and was the oldest child and only son of John Frank Karowski and Emma Rae Horton Karowski. He joined the Marines at a young age, followed by a 26 year career in the U.S. Army. He served in World War II, the Korean War and twice in Vietnam, and was able to travel to several countries while in the military, including Okinawa, Japan, Turkey, and France. He retired from the military at age 45 and worked for Servomation in San Antonio for 13 years before his final retirement. Willie was an avid fisherman and gardener and spent most of his life appreciating these hobbies that brought so much joy to him. He was very proud of his family and was amazed at how large it had become! Willie had a long and fulfilling life and at the end he was surrounded by his loving family; he was at peace and free from pain! He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Frances Hooker and Evelyn Berger, brother-in-laws Jack Hooker and Donald Umland, father-in-law Frederick M. Jarmer, mother-in-law Elline Lundquist Jarmer, and grandson Jake Sandusky. He is survived by his devoted wife of 60 years, Viola Karowski, and his seven children and their spouses: Barbara Blount Kilgore and Floyd, Linda Smith and Tommy, Carol Witek and Rick, Shirley Herzog and Mark, Carl Karowski and Cathy, Richard Karowski and Debbie, Laura Baumann and Clifford. He is also survived by his sisters Josephine Smith, Mary Fincher and Laverne Linder, brother-in-laws Joel Linder and Bradley Berger, sister-in-laws Anita Umland and Donna Diekman, 42 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family members. Visitation will be held at Schertz Funeral Home on Monday, July 7, 2014, from 4:00PM-8:00PM. The Funeral Service will be held at Schertz Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at 9:30AM. Services officiated by Pastor David Schneider from Cross of Christ Lutheran Church in Universal City, where Willie had been a member since 1999, when he was baptized. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, at 11:30AM, with United States Army Honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project. May God be with us until we meet againBill/Daddy/Pops/Grandpa/Great-Grandpa!
.
