William Joseph Polk, 98, arrived peacefully to his heavenly home on August 29, 2022. He is preceded in death by his two dear brothers Edward Polk and Theodore Polk, baby sister Patricia Ann Polkabla, and close cousins. He is survived by his dear wife, Monique (Baert) Polk with whom he enjoyed a marriage spanning 62 years. He is also survived by his children - Susan Polk and Mike Churchill, Linda Polk Haslanger and Mark Haslanger, and Danielle Polk Running and Aaron Running; and his grandchildren: Anna, Amanda, Elizabeth, Evan, and Annika. Bill was born in Pennsylvania to John and Anna (Boretsky) Polkabla. His childhood stories were filled with fond memories of attending a one-room schoolhouse and swimming in the Monongahela River with his brothers and cousins. He attended high school in Cleveland before joining the Army Air Corps during World War II. There he received a Distinguished Service Award for his contribution while serving as a 1st Lieutenant and B-17 bomber navigator, often as the lead crew with the acclaimed 303rd Bomb Group. He learned to navigate the skies by the stars and passed his appreciation of the stars on to the next family generations. After the war, he attended General Motors Institute and earned a degree in Industrial Engineering and subsequently had a successful 43 year career at General Motors including multiple posts as a Plant Manager in Michigan. He enjoyed the all-employee golf league because it included people from all levels and he also enjoyed advancing the careers of those around him. Bill was a lifelong and devoted Catholic, meeting his wife, Monique, at a church dance when he spotted her in a red dress. They raised 3 wonderful daughters in Michigan. Bill lived life with joyful enthusiasm and positivity shared with his brothers and cousins, and passed this on to his cherished children and grandchildren. From an early age, Bill played music on the Banjo, Ukulele, and Guitar, playing and singing into his 98th year. Bill and Monique retired to Florida where they spent many years golfing and kept sharp by attending and occasionally giving educational presentations at the local university. They subsequently moved to Texas to be close to family. Bill's kind spirit, positivity and Christian devotion has been a guiding light in our lives. He will be dearly missed in this world; his gracious spirit lives on in heaven with our Holy God. Keep Smiling Dad (Grandpa)! The family would like to express extreme gratitude and thanks to the staff and caregivers of Briarview Senior Living and Accord Hospice, particularly those "earth angels" who work in Memory Care, for their compassionate care during Bill's later years. Details of a memorial service will be announced in the near future. Memorial gifts can be made to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, in Carrollton, TX; https://membership.faithdirect.net/enroll/TX376/9 Blessed Trinity Catholic Church - St. Petersburg, FL. https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/bles1600282 Eckerd College (Academy of Senior Professionals at Eckerd College (ASPEC)) - St. Petersburg, FL. https://www.eckerd.edu/aspec/giving/