Bill Kaczmarek 

In his time in the Navy, Bill learned the value of teamwork, and that is a part of what he appreciates about membership in the Knights of Columbus.  He became involved in the Knights about six years ago, joining the DePere Council.  Unfortunately, he knew very few people in that Council and found himself becoming more and more inactive.  In time, however,  he got involved in St. Bernard Parish’s effort to settle a Russian immigrant family and remembers someone else involved in that project talking about membership in the Knights.  He also spoke of the Knights with co-worker Bob Ledvina and ended up transferring to Council 10243, noting “the group had character.”

 

It seemed the natural move for Bill, who has many relatives in the Knights, including some in the Fourth Degree.  “I didn’t want to be the odd man out,” he says.  Bill’s father was an active Knight, and after his death Bill and his family donated the cost of a coffee warmer to the Council in his memory.  Bill is quite careful of the commitments he takes on, and is also involved in the Vietnam Veterans and Boy Scouts.  He considered getting involved in either the Masons or the Knights, and chose the latter.  “I liked what I saw,” he says of the Knights, noting their involvement in the community and their many service projects.  He has been involved in a number of projects himself, including the Younkers Warehouse Sale and serving as a Bell Ringer for the Christmas season.  He appreciates the activity of the Knights and the fellowship with men who are interested in service, not simply ‘feathering their own nest’.  He believes the real difference is made through some of the things that the Knights do for people, noting the Tootsie Roll campaign and the Teddy Bears to the Green Bay Police.  He also points out the importance of the youth-centered activities of the Council such as the Christmas Poster Contest and the Punt/Pass/Kick competition, and he recognized Chuck Rademacher’s efforts in keeping many of those things going.

 

Bill is a native of Bay City, Michigan and works as a Quality Control Inspector at Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant and says the best part of his job is the opportunity to work with people.  He is also involved in a business which sets people up in distribution networks for products and services.  He came to Green Bay in 1980 on a job related move after spending six years in the Navy where he served on Submarine #657 Francis Scott Key.  He speaks of the teamwork necessary on a sub, and sees similar attitudes among the Knights, but says “It’s amazing they don’t burn out” given how deeply involved many men of the Council are.  He and his wife, Marilyn, have been married for 19 years and have two children, Sarah and Emily.  For relaxation, he enjoys fishing and hopes to spend some more time on a boat he received from his father.  His advice to anyone who might be considering becoming a part of the Knights of Columbus: “Do it!  Unequivocally!”

 

Fr. Al Lis, O.F.M.

November 1994