Obituary of William I. Bjorkholm

William Aron Isidor Bjorkholm, 94, of Jamestown, passed away December 18, 2015 in WCA Hospital. Born July 20, 1921 in Jamestown, he was the only son of Swedish immigrants Egidius I. and Marie T. Johanson Bjorkholm. Bill was a 1939 graduate of Jamestown High School where his passion for music developed, as he was a gifted trumpet player in the high school band. Following high school, Bill played with various bands including the Wizzy Johnson Orchestra. Enlisting in the US Army in 1942 while a young draftsman at Dahlstrom Manufacturing, he became part of Military Intelligence, studying the German language at Cornell University, and was stationed in Germany and surrounding countries. William received several medals including the Purple Heart. Returning to Jamestown after WW II, he married Dorothy V. Gustafson June 7, 1947 at Bethel Lutheran Church. William and Dorothy celebrated 68 years of marriage. He continued his love of music as the couple enjoyed dancing and Bill would often sing with the band. Bill also enjoyed learning, receiving his Associate's Degree from Jamestown Community College, and continued to take classes in various areas of interest. Another of Bill's passions was speaking other languages and appreciating different cultures. He also enjoyed golf and bowling. Bill retired from Jamestown Metal Manufacturing in 1986. A member of the Norden Club of Jamestown, he also belonged to the Vikings where he was a past member of the Viking Male Chorus, Thule Lodge, Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Lakewood American Legion, War Vets, and was former member of First Lutheran Church and Bethel Lutheran Church where he sang in the church choir. A devoted husband and loving father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife Dorothy; two daughters, Cynthia (Bruce) Lawson of Chichester, NH and Karen (the late Manuel) Leeper of Jamestown, NY; granddaughters Erika (Tom) Frick of Fredericksburg, VA and Amanda (Tony) Lombardi of Chichester, NH; and five great-grandchildren, Jakob, Kalina, and Gwenyth Frick of Fredericksburg, and Annabelle and Mackenzie Lombardi of Chichester. The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Alan W. Anderson, pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service, from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, January 2nd. Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, 904 W. Third St., or the James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., both Jamestown, NY 14701.