William M. “Billko” Kobishop, 92, of Stevens Point, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015, at Care Partners in Stevens Point.

He was born on June 2, 1923, to the late William J. and Emily A. Kobishop in Ely, Minnesota, which was his mother’s hometown, where she was a school teacher. When Bill was still very young, the family moved to Stevens Point, which was his father’s hometown. He attended local schools, graduating from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1941.

During World War II, Bill was inducted in the U.S. Army at Fort Sheridan, Illinois. His first tour of duty was spent as a staff sergeant and he was later transferred to the Infantry, where he became a platoon sergeant. Bill’s final promotion was to Company First Sergeant of Company B, 18th Combat Engineer Battalion. He served from Feb. of 1943 until April of 1946, when he was honorably discharged.

Following the War, Bill returned to Stevens Point to marry his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth “Betty” Zdroik, a union that lasted over 65 years until Betty’s death in 2012. Bill and Betty raised their family of six children on Water Street, along with a variety of trees, flowers, vegetables and even a small fish pond and greenhouse. Deer, rabbits, raccoons, woodchucks and squirrels were all frequent visitors.

Bill worked as a meat cutter and grocer at the South Side Market and later retired from the Stevens Point Brewery in 1990. To keep their father occupied and out of the garden, Bill’s children presented him with a computer that he used to correspond with friends and relatives.

Survivors include his children, Trish (J. Robert) Barr of Evanston, Illinois, Kathleen (Jerry) Willkom and Betty (Greg) Gustafson of Stevens Point, Barbara (aka “Charlee”) of Hustisford, Wisc., and Loree (Christopher) LaFlex of Stevensville, Michigan. There are eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bill is further survived by his brother, Ronald (Agnes) Kobishop of Stevens Point.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife; his son, William David; his parents; and his siblings, Mae, Edward, Jerry and Delbert.

All his life, Bill enjoyed being outdoors. At home, he kept the birdfeeders full for the black-capped chickadees, wrens, nuthatches and finches, which he loved to watch and listen to. He got more enjoyment out of a bird sitting on his gun barrel than from a deer running by.

Bill’s great love for his wife, children and grandchildren was very intense. And that’s the way it was…

The Kobishop family would like to thank Paula Hunter-Wilhelm and the staff at Care Partners for their gentle, compassionate care. Also, thanks are due to Heartland Hospice.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, at St. Peter Catholic Church in Stevens Point. The Rev. Marcin Mankowski will officiate. Burial will take place in Guardian Angel Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be on Monday morning in the St. Faustina Room of the Church from 9:00 a.m. until the time for Mass. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be assisting the family. For online condolences, please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.