Bill was born on February 1, 1943, in Little Falls, MN, the second of Dorothy and Simon Zilka’s 13 children. He grew up on a farm and in the woods north of Park Rapids, graduating in 1961. He attended NDSU in Fargo for 1.5 years as a physics major and member of the cross country and track teams before joining the Marine Corps in 1964, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. Bill met California native Janet Staveley at Disneyland when he blocked her view of a musical act. She asked him to please move; he obliged by sitting next to her. They married on April 8, 1967, and later moved to Minnesota, eventually settling in Sleepy Eye in February 1969.
A devout Catholic, Bill was a faith-filled member of St. Mary’s and the Knights of Columbus, and a devoted participant in the perpetual adoration of the Eucharist. A self-taught golfer who loved the game, he won eight club championships in Sleepy Eye and served as coach at St. Mary’s throughout the 1980s, helping his players love the game too. He liked trains and farms and trees and food. He enjoyed long conversations. He mugged for the camera. He mispronounced certain words on purpose, like “strawzleberry.” He’d take long drives on new and different routes. He counted down the days until spring. He sang loudly, sometimes with the beat. He sought to see the best in every person he met.
Bill was preceded in death by Jan Zilka, his wife of 55 years, who passed just 50 days earlier, and his brother Steve. He is survived and missed by his children Will (Julie) Zilka, Sandy Zilka, Scott (Karne) Zilka, and Jean (Brian) Yeager; grandchildren Ashley (Jamison) York, Zachary (Jessi) Zilka, Bryana Yeager, Daniel Zilka, and June Zilka; great-grandchildren Jace, Landon, Amaya, Aviyana, and Elliyana; 11 siblings; and countless other family members and friends, including you.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church-North Entrance in Sleepy Eye, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial with Father Mark Steffl officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/
In lieu of memorials, please take a long drive or play a round of golf with Bill in your mind.