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William Kowalyk passed away on May 30, 2014 at WillowBrooke Court at Indian River Estates.
He was born January 18, 1920 by the Red River in Winnipeg, Canada, the first born of immigrant parents from Russia, Nicholas and Lillian Kowalyk.
The family later moved to New York City where Bill grew up.
He attended City College of New York belonging to the National Guard. After 2 years his unit was federalized to active duty for the Army. He retired from the Army having served 26 years in the Army Corp of Engineers, which he was proud to be a part.
He also attended Texas A&M and served in the European Theatre during World War II, followed by duty in Korea and Vietnam.
Mr. Kowalyk and his first wife, Thelma Weeding of Blackfoot, Idaho, where married in 1943.
Following retirement in 1964, from the Army, they opened and operated The Olde Main Gallery in Bellevue, Washington for 16 years, selling the paintings of Dennis Ramsay and other European artists.
His memberships in WA included distinguished Past President of Kiwanis Club of Bellevue, member of Renaissance Lodge #312, Seattle Scottish Rite, and Shriner of Nile Temple, Mountlake Terrace. He was also a member of Vero Beach Country Club.
His wife, Thelma, predeceased Mr. Kowalyk in 2000.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen Lawther Kowalyk; one son, Alexander of Bellevue; step daughter, Sue Ellen Blanchard of St. Cloud, FL; step son, Dean J. Lawther of Miami, FL; four step grandchildren; and a sister, Marie Miller of Simsbury, CT.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, June 7th at St. Mark�s Anglican Church, with the Rev. Canon Michael L. Ward, officiating.
Donations in memory of William may be mailed to Shriner�s Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd., Portland, OR 97239-3009 or to Indian River Medical Center Foundation, 1000 36th St., Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Inurnment will be at Mt. Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA.
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