Wilbur (Bill) J. Kumbalek, Jr passed away peacefully on January 25, 2022 after a brief stay in the hospital.
Bill was born on August 9, 1935 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin to Wilbur Sr and Valeria (Welnetz) Kumbalek. Bill
graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School and soon after began his life’s adventures by joining the Navy.
Bill enjoyed six years of active duty serving on the aircraft carrier, Bon Homme Richard and the cruiser
USS Helena, where he traveled throughout the South Pacific. He also served twenty years in the Navy Re-serves, part of that time was spent as a Recruiter. Being a veteran was a source of great pride for Bill. He was always ready to share a story or two with anyone willing to listen.
After active duty, Bill moved back to his hometown of Manitowoc where he met and later married Marilyn Anhalt. They soon moved to Oshkosh and started their family. Bill attended what is now the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. With a degree in Psychology, Bill spent his first few married years teaching. Being the outgoing happy man he was, Bill changed careers and became an insurance salesman and eventually an inde-pendent agent working from his home office.
Bill loved spending time in the north woods of Wisconsin. He took his family on many camping trips every summer, rain or shine. He also enjoyed working with wood. Creating beautiful shelves and cabinets, you could always find him working in his basement woodshop. Although extremely humble, he took great pride in his creations. He also liked to brag that he could fix anything.......with duct tape and super glue. Later in life, Bill and Marilyn spent several years in Germany where Bill sold insurance to US Soldiers stationed there.
Bill is survived by his children. William and Lori Kumbalek of Hilbert, Wisconsin. Jean Smith of Oshkosh. John
and Cathy Kumbalek of Oshkosh and Melinda Kumbalek of Iceland. He is also survived by his grandchildren
William Jr Kumbalek, Ariel Kumbalek, Noah Kumbalek, Benjamin Kumbalek, Samantha Smith, Nicole (An-drew) Barazia, Aron Kumbalek (fiance Sommar Kaufman) and Karli Kumbalek. Great grandchildren
Devynae Smith and Leo Brazia. He is also survived by his brother and sisters, Mary Jo (David) Franzen,
Margaret (Thomas) Schultz, Sally (Robert) Mershon, Terri Bastian and Timothy Kumbalek. He was preceded in death by his wife Marilyn and his parents.
Funeral and celebration of his life will be at Fox Cities Funeral and Cremation Services in Oshkosh on Satur-day February 5 from 11 am to 1 pm. Service to follow.
The Kumbalek family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Kelly Badger for her wonderful care.
Additionally, a special thank you to the Oshkosh Police Department, the Winnebago County Coroners Office. Oshkosh paramedics and dispatchers all who showed great respect and compassion in our time of need.