William Wesley ZABILKA

ZABILKA, WARD, BEISEL, MARHULA

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

12 June 1924 ---- 8 December 2011

William W. Zabilka, 87, of Fargo, ND, passed away at Sanford Health in Fargo, ND, Thursday, December 8, 2011. William Wesley Zabilka was born on June 12, 1924 to William and Sylva Zabilka in Nainital, India where his parents were missionaries. He spent his childhood growing up in Iowa. He volunteered to serve in the Air Force during WWII. From there he was stationed in England, France, and Germany.

In May of 2011, he was privileged to have flown on the last Honor Flight of North Dakota. He attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa where he received his BA in Music Education and his Masters Degree at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Beyond his masters, he continued his education spending many summers at Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN.

He married the love of his life, Marilyn Ward, December 20, 1952 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He first taught K-12 band and vocal music for 4 years in Geneva and Chapin, Iowa. Bill and Marilyn moved to Clinton, Iowa where he taught 32 years of vocal music and band at Washington Junior High/Middle School. William Zabilka was instrumental in developing many young musicians until his retirement. He was a well-respected teacher.

They spent most of their life in Clinton, Iowa. Bill had a life filled with love for his wife, family and friends. He enjoyed sitting in his backyard, vacationing with his family, watching sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, and playing tennis and golf. There were many memories he and his wife have made in their 59 years of marriage.

His wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will miss him dearly. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his three children, Mary (Bruce) Beisel, Warroad, MN; Mark (Ann) Zabilka, Allen, TX; Cindy (C.T.) Marhula, Grand Forks, ND, 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Gladys Zabilka.

Funeral: Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 3:30 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, 4575 45th Street South, Fargo, ND.

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[lived in Klemme, Iowa with parents in 1940 where his father was a minister]