- Date Of Birth: January 1, 1918
- Date Of Death: September 18, 2011
- State: Michigan
NILGES, William C. Of Kalamazoo. William C. Nilges, “Bill” was born in 1918, the second of eight children of William H. Nilges, and Josephine J. Nilges Nee Hochwalt, in Lakewood, Ohio. A graduate of Case University, Cleveland, Ohio, with highest honors, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, “Bill” served in the U.S. Navy during WW II as a Lt. Commander at the Philadelphia Navy Yard where he designed hydraulic systems for Navy ships.
After discharge from the Navy in 1946 “Bill” married Alice Knudsen, a Navy “Wave”, and settled in Cleveland, Ohio, his hometown. “Bill’s” oldest Brother. Captain Edward J. Nilges, 442nd RCT was KIA in Italy 4/6/45, in a battle for which he was awarded the Silver star to go along with a Purple Heart, and a Bronze star, as well as a unit Citation and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge and several Battle Stars he had won during his combat tour. “Bill” and all his siblings, Richard, Joan, James, John, David and Thomas all served in the military during WW II, or after the end of WW II. “Bill” developed several patented hydraulic pumps for companies from PESCO, to TRW, and FORD, and others during a distinguished professional career. In the mid 1960’s “Bill” obtained one of the first Volkswagen franchises in a Western State, and opened a “VW” dealership in Elko, Nevada.
Thereafter he moved to Portage, MI where he resided until his death September 18, 2011. “Bill” enjoyed tinkering in his “Model Shop” that he maintained in his basement until a few years before his death. “Bill” was a devoted fan of steam powered mechanical devices and built steam powered toys for nieces and nephews. An avid follower of the stock market until his death, “Bill” used a trading model based on the price of U.S. Postage Stamps, a model none of his siblings ever were able to understand. His lovely wife, Alice preceded him in death in 1994. Ministering to “Bill” for many years have been Cathy and Jim Seiser, neighbors with huge hearts and much love.
He is survived by brothers James B. Nilges, a retired Architect, of Strongsville, Ohio, and David C. Nilges, CPM, Emeritus, of Centennial. Colorado.
