From the Cary Fire Protection District:
The Cary Fire Protection District sadly announces the passing of retired Deputy Chief William “Bill” Gitzke. Bill, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, November 15, 2019 surrounded by family.
He was born February 15, 1943 in his parents’ home on West Main Street in Cary.
His faith was of utmost importance to him. Bill was an active member of Cary’s St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, where he attended school and was an alter boy.
He attended Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin and went on to attend the electronics and technology program at DeVry University in Chicago. Bill was drafted into the United States Army in 1965 being stationed in Germany until he returned home in 1967.
After returning from the Army, Bill married the love of his life, Carol. Together they raised two children, a daughter, Shelly Van Anrooy and son William “Billy” Gitzke.
Bill owned and operated G Communications, where he installed and repaired communications systems for public safety agencies across Illinois. He was well known and respected throughout the county for his knowledge of communications equipment.
Bill followed in his father’s footsteps becoming a paid-on-call member of the Cary Fire Protection District in 1961. After completing firefighter and emergency medical technician training, he was promoted to lieutenant, then captain, then assistant chief, and finally deputy chief, the department’s second in command.
Being a firefighter was not just a career to him, it was a life long passion. Bill always went above and beyond the call of duty. After serving 51 years, Bill retired from the Cary Fire Protection District in February 2013, becoming the longest serving member in the department’s history. Bill’s love of the fire service continued to be a family tradition when his son Billy, became the third generation of Gitzke’s to serve the Cary Fire Protection District. Father and son worked side by side for 15 years.
Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carol, daughter Shelly Van Anrooy, son William Gitzke, grandchildren Brenna and Chase Van Anrooy, Katelyn, Samantha, Grace, Billy, and Joey Gitzke, his sister Linda Verdung, and many relatives on both sides of the family.
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
Tim Olk photo
