ELKHART -- William R. "Bill" Arko, 78, of Marshall Boulevard, where he and his wife have lived for over 29 years, died at 7 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 3, 2007) in Park Villa LTC in Marion after an extended illness.

He was born May 13, 1929, in Elkhart, to the late Lewis and Pauline (Strukel) Arko. He married Dorothy B. Bohs on Feb. 7, 1953, at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elkhart.

She survives along with one son, Steve (Ginger) Arko of Goshen; two grandsons, Titus Arko of Goshen and Joel Arko of Cleveland; two brothers, Albert "Al" (Kate) Arko and Victor Arko, both of Elkhart; and one sister, Elenor Haney of Elkhart.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Phillip DeVolder officiating. Burial with military and fire departmental honors will follow in Rice Cemetery, Elkhart.

Bill was proud to be a fireman for the City of Elkhart Fire Department from 1962 until he retired on July 1, 1993, as assistant chief. He formerly worked as a machinist for the Madden Corp. and at J.P. Engraving.

Bill was a 1948 graduate of Elkhart High School, was a member of Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Elkhart Knights of Columbus Council 1043. Bill was a Korean War veteran, serving from 1951 to 1953. In a quote from his retirement letter, "I enjoyed every day that I could be of service in the protection of life and property to the citizens of Elkhart."

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer's Association, 9135 N. Meridian St., Ste. B-4, Indianapolis, IN 46209. Visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com to send online condolences.