William B. Palicki

William B. Palicki, age 86, of Perrysburg, OH passed away December 4, 2024 at Lakes of Monclova. He was born December 11, 1937 in Toledo to Leonard and Stella (Mikolajewski) Palicki. 

Bill grew up on Hinde Road in a Polish neighborhood. He started caddying at Ottawa Hills Golf Course when he was 10 years old, beginning his lifelong love of golf. He was very proud of his two holes in one. Bill was a big man, standing at 6’5’ with size 15 shoes. He played golf and basketball in high school, and he was on the championship MacMen basketball team. In a Toledo Blade newspaper article, he was referred to as “Macomber’s only giant.” He graduated from Macomber High School in 1955 as a cabinet maker, which launched his 50 year career as a carpenter and ultimately a construction superintendent at The Spieker Company, from which he retired at age 67, after a 50 year career. 

Bill was also a US Marine Reservist and he carried the lessons of duty and doing a job to the best of one’s ability at all times. He always took great pride in his work and he was in charge of working on and refurbishing many Toledo landmarks, such as The Toledo Hospital, The Toledo Museum of Art, The Toledo Zoo and One Government Center. 

Bill was an avid sports fan his whole life and he golfed until he could no longer walk; he was a lifelong fan of Ohio State football and the Cleveland Browns.

Bill was an excellent son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and community member. He loved to play with his kids and loved teasing his nieces, nephews and the neighborhood kids. He was known as Big Bill and Big Daddy; he was an imposing figure. He appeared to be a hard, stern man, until you came to understand that he was loving and sensitive. Bill was known for his honesty, perfectionism, loyalty, impeccable work ethic and sharp, quick wit. Bill donated over 16 gallons of blood during his lifetime and he served on many boards of clubs and organizations to which he belonged. Bill and his wife, Rose, enjoyed dancing and traveling. They are long-time members of St. Rose parish in Perrysburg. 

In addition to his parents, Bill was also preceded in death by his brother, Thomas Palicki and step daughter, Shirley Yager. He is survived by his wife, Rose Mary Palicki (Grabarczyk) of 34 years; (together they helped raise their grandson, Jeremy Yager) children Karen (Roger) Lemle, Roxanne (Lee) Grinonneau, Libby McIlwain and Brad (Stacy) Palicki, stepson Jerry Vollmar (Rondi), 17 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; sister, Angela Nadolny, and mother of his children, Geraldine (Steinbart) Mockensturm. 

Bill’s family would like to thank the staff of The Lakes of Monclova at The Legacy and Hospice 360 for the excellent care he received at the end of his life.

Bill is probably in Heaven playing a foursome with his father, Leonard, his brother, Tom, and his nephew, Jay Palicki. He left us and is off like a “big, white bird.”

We love you, Big Daddy. 

The family will receive guests Tuesday, December 10, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer - SW Chapel, 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419-381-1900) where a Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. The family will receive guests, Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 10:15 a.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 East Front Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551 where the Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Rose Cemetery, Perrysburg, OH.

Memorial contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the American Red Cross or Care360 Hospice.

To share a memory of Bill or leave a special message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.