William (Bill) John Kudreyko

GLENDALE – William John Kudreyko, 91, of Glendale Arizona was called to the Lord on April 26, passing peacefully in his sleep with family members there to see him off. Bill was born August 23, 1929 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the youngest of four children and is preceded in death by Anna, John and Helen. Bill started his career in the US Army/Air Force and remained in the Air Force when it became a separate branch. He was honored to serve as a flight engineer during the Korean War. Bill was a very talented man and held a variety of jobs, including owning a gas station and excelling at electrical work before finding a home at American Airlines where he worked as an aircraft mechanic for 31 years.

Bill found the love of his life and eloped with Pauline Ruth Wagner. They were married July 11, 1952 by a New York Supreme Court justice. In 1973, Bill and Pauline decided that the family would be better served leaving New York and moved to Arizona where Bill lived until his death. He made many sacrifices for his family, including commuting to New York and Los Angeles for work when his seniority did not allow him to hold a spot in Phoenix. Bill retired January 1, 1989.

Bill and family were inaugural season ticket holders for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team he loved. Another passion Bill developed later in life was a love for Broadway plays. His first play was at the Orpheum Theatre where he saw the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with his wife and daughter. This was the start of a family tradition that extended to his grandchildren and continues today. Bill was also an avid reader of newspapers and novels. In the end, music was his refuge.

Bill was a dedicated Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather and was known to help so many family members and friends in need. Over his lifetime he had a variety of dogs including his boxers Champ and Flash, Labrador Flash, cockapoo Taffy and most recently Meeshka a terrier mix.

Bill is survived by his wife Pauline, daughters Cathy (Scott), Karen and Sandy (Bob). Although he will always be dad to his daughters, he is Poppops to his grandchildren Kimberly (Ryan), Kyle (Chalyce), Allie (Austin), Jeremy and Travis, and great grandchildren Peyton and Everett.

Due to Covid restrictions a private ceremony will be held. The family requests donations to be made in Bill’s honor to the southwest chapter of the Alzheimer’s association. (https://www.alz.org/dsw)