1919
William
2011
William M. Carlson
November 15, 1919 — March 20, 2011
SIOUX CITY -- William Milton "Bill" Carlson, 91, of Sioux City died Sunday, March 20, 2011, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Retirement Home chapel, with the Rev. Dennis Meinen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Naval Reserves. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Bill was born Nov. 15, 1919, in Havelock, Neb., to Louis and Mary Carlson. He grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School. A member of the Greatest Generation, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1938 and worked as a decoder aboard the USS Quincy. With Bill aboard, the ship was sunk in August 1942, at Guadalcanal. He finished his military career as a guard at the Naval Brig at Pier 91 in Seattle, Wash. Following his military discharge, he returned to Sioux City and worked briefly as an apprentice carpenter at Holtz Construction before becoming a switchman with Milwaukee Railroad.
As the railroad became Bill's life work, Velva "Mickie" Carlson became his life's love. The two were married on Sept. 20, 1946, in Elk Point, S.D. The two made their home on South Judd Street, where they became a second set of parents to the little girl across the street, Barbara "Barbie" (Dagle) Vakulskas.
Following his retirement from the railroad, Bill would regularly run errands for Vakulskas Law Firm in Sioux City. He would frequently visit the clerk's office at the area courthouses, always providing a smile for the staff. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post 64. He also enjoyed photography and tinkering with his cars. He was an excellent handyman. He was also involved in Scouting and loved to travel with Mickie. He also was a member of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association.
Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years; and his adopted Vakulskas family, Tom (Barb), Brian (Ellen), Molly (Eric), and Daniel (Nikki), all of Sioux City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Helen Ramberg and Bettilou McKillip.
The family would like to thank the entire Holy Spirit Retirement Community for all of the caring love and support given to Bill during the time he was a resident of the facility.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Spirit Retirement Home Service Club or Siouxland Historical Railroad Museum.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Retirement Home chapel, with the Rev. Dennis Meinen officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, with military rites conducted by the Naval Reserves. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Saturday at the chapel. Arrangements are under the direction of Larkin Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Bill was born Nov. 15, 1919, in Havelock, Neb., to Louis and Mary Carlson. He grew up in Sioux City and graduated from Central High School. A member of the Greatest Generation, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1938 and worked as a decoder aboard the USS Quincy. With Bill aboard, the ship was sunk in August 1942, at Guadalcanal. He finished his military career as a guard at the Naval Brig at Pier 91 in Seattle, Wash. Following his military discharge, he returned to Sioux City and worked briefly as an apprentice carpenter at Holtz Construction before becoming a switchman with Milwaukee Railroad.
As the railroad became Bill's life work, Velva "Mickie" Carlson became his life's love. The two were married on Sept. 20, 1946, in Elk Point, S.D. The two made their home on South Judd Street, where they became a second set of parents to the little girl across the street, Barbara "Barbie" (Dagle) Vakulskas.
Following his retirement from the railroad, Bill would regularly run errands for Vakulskas Law Firm in Sioux City. He would frequently visit the clerk's office at the area courthouses, always providing a smile for the staff. Bill was a member of the American Legion Post 64. He also enjoyed photography and tinkering with his cars. He was an excellent handyman. He was also involved in Scouting and loved to travel with Mickie. He also was a member of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association.
Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 65 years; and his adopted Vakulskas family, Tom (Barb), Brian (Ellen), Molly (Eric), and Daniel (Nikki), all of Sioux City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sisters, Helen Ramberg and Bettilou McKillip.
The family would like to thank the entire Holy Spirit Retirement Community for all of the caring love and support given to Bill during the time he was a resident of the facility.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Spirit Retirement Home Service Club or Siouxland Historical Railroad Museum.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William M. Carlson, please visit our flower store.
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