William “Bill” Kadow passed away October 9, 2022 from complications of a bleed in the brain during the end stages of heart failure.  Bill is survived by his daughter Valerie (Andy), son Mark (Shan) and his grandchildren Erik and Erin.

Bill grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, Illinois.  He was an avid CUBS fan and wanted to “live to see them win the World Series.”  Lucky for him, he got to do just that. 

He knew his future wife when they were young, and he liked to tell the story that after high school, he “saw her across a crowded room” and that was it.  He married Jane Kay Olsen on October 8, 1966. They lived in Des Plaines. Bill worked two jobs.  He worked days as a fifth-grade teacher in Berwyn, IL and at Sears automotive in the evenings. He stayed busy coaching basketball and playing softball at St. John’s Church and even holds the all-time best batting average. (.588)

In 1976, Bill and Jane decided that it was too cold in Illinois and they packed up a moving truck and the green El Torino and moved to Tucson, Arizona.  Bill worked for Metropolitan Life Insurance and then Allstate.  He truly loved his job.  He stayed active by coaching Valerie’s softball teams and Mark’s baseball teams.  He was a patient and kind coach who made a difference to many kids.  He played slow pitch softball every Sunday night at Sportspark.  He got a hit every time and had the highest batting average, even though he was playing with “kids” 20 plus years younger.  He was the only person I know who could hit a triple and only make it to first base. He had hitting skill, but no speed.

He never missed a CUBS game and loved the fact he could get WGN on TV. Mima and Pop, as they were known to their grandkids, were a huge part of the lives of Erik and Erin.  How lucky to have such amazing grandparents to watch and nurture them each day.

Jane passed away suddenly on Halloween, 2013.  And my dad, one day after what would have been their 56th anniversary.

In the words of his favorite singer. . . ”Thank you…Thank you very much.”     GO CUBS!!!! 

Valerie (Kadow) Wirth

520-360-0428

avwirth@comcast.net