Obituary of William L. Michalski

William L. "Bill" Michalski, Jr., 94, of Jamestown, passed away Monday, June 28, 2021 at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing. Bill was born December 29, 1926 at his grandmother's house in Eldred, Pa., a son of the late William Sr. and Harriet Jane Moses Michalski. He attended kindergarten at the former Celoron High School before moving to a farm on Waterboro Hill in Kennedy, NY with his family. Following graduation from Randolph Central School in 1944, Bill enlisted in the Navy and was sent to Sampson Naval Training as a 17-year-old Boot ready to be transformed into a sailor. Subsequently, he went to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, TX where he obtained a rate of AEM 3c. Later, he was stationed at Camp Wallace in Galveston, TX where he was honorably discharged prior to moving to Jamestown. Bill attended Alfred University Extension for a brief time; broke, he entered the workforce in 1948. He was employed as a shear operator at Art Metal Construction Co. prior to working at Corry Jamestown in Corry, PA. Later, he returned to Art Metal, Inc., then on to Jamestown Metal Manufacturing and eventually retired in 1991 as an engineer from Jamestown Metal Products. A longtime resident of the area, Bill and his wife purchased a home in Jamestown in 1963, where he lived for over 50 years. A true patriot, Bill displayed the American Flag each day from sunup to sundown on his property. He was also a proud member of the American Legion Post 149. In earlier years, Bill loved to hunt and fish walleye with his father-in-law. Because of this, he built a cottage on the shores of Lake Erie and spent years working and relaxing there. He felt very fortunate to have met so many good people in his lifetime. He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn (Steve) Wozniak of Kennedy; two grandchildren: Jennifer Wozniak of Kennedy and Daniel Wozniak of Jamestown; his sister, Nellie-Jo Calanni and brother, David (Shirley) Michalski, both of Florida; and a number of nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine Utegg Michalski, and two brothers, James Edgar and Joseph Henry Michalski. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Daniel S. Rumfelt will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations for the dogs at the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd., Jamestown, NY 14701. Bill loved his dogs.