William "Bill" "Woj" Wojciechowski's Obituary
Colonel William (Bill) “Woj” Wojciechowski, (USAF Retired)
William (Bill) “Woj” Wojciechowski started his life in Erie, Pennsylvania on July 10, 1937. He was raised there and graduated from Erie’s Cathedral Prep High School in 1954. Woj originally enlisted in the Army at age 16. The Army discharged him after recruiters discovered his true age. Following graduation from high school and still only 17 years old he joined the Army Reserve Guard after his parents signed off on his enlistment. Woj achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant when he left the Army Reserve Guard eight years later.
Education was important to Woj as evidenced by the many colleges he attended, the several degrees he earned, and the professional careers he chose to pursue. In 1958, he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Sciences and Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Supervision at Edinboro University, Pennsylvania in 1961. Following that Woj earned his Doctorate Degree in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration, and a minor in Public Administration from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1971. Just for the challenge and his love of education, he also took graduate courses at University of Maryland, the University of Wisconsin, post-graduate courses at Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law, and attended Air War College.
On June 18, 1960, while furthering his education and working as a high school teacher, he married the love of his life the then Theresa L. Slivkanick who he affectionally called Terri during their 62 years of marriage. Armed with his new college degree, Woj entered active duty in the Air Force in June 1962 and was assigned as Commandant of the 30th Air Division Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Truax Field, Wisconsin. From February 1965 to January 1968, he assumed responsibilities as the Director of Administration to the 7310th Air Base Wing, Rhein Main Air Base, Germany. Woj returned to academia in February 1968 as a Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructor at Lehigh University while simultaneously earning his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration.
Then he spent a year in Vietnam at Phu Cat Air Base first serving as Commander of the 12th Headquarters Squadron’s Tactical Fighter Wing, next as an advisor to the Vietnam Air Force, and completed that tour of duty as the 7th Air Force Inspector General’s Executive Officer. In June 1972, he was assigned to Randolph Air Force Base in San Antoinio as the Community College of the Air Force’s Chief of Plans and later Director of Career Programs. From May 1978 to March 1981, Woj served as Randolph Air Force Base Headquarters Air Training Command’s Director for Educational Plans and Evaluations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Education. From April 1981 to June 1984, Woj was assigned to Patrick Air Force Base in Florida where he achieved the rank of full colonel. There he was the Deputy Director for Training at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute; Woj also served as that organization’s Intermittent Director for eight months. In 1984, Woj assumed command of Maxwell Air Force Base’s Educational Development Center. His last command was from 1986 through 1989 at the Extension Course Institute, Air University, Gunter Air Force Station, Alabama. From 1966 through 1984 he also taught evening classes at numerous colleges while serving his country before retiring from the Air Force in 1989.
Woj was a highly decorated Air Force Veteran who received the following Military awards and accommodations: Department of Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Technical Services Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with three bronze stars. He also was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1970, a Community Leader of America in 1971, and the Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Educator in 1980 during his time of service.
Woj was not one to be idle. After retiring from the Air Force in 1989, he took a week off from work and then immediately started his second career as Pratt Community College’s President in Kansas. While at Pratt Community College he received the National and Kansas Phi Theta Kappa Outstanding College President Award in 1995 and 2012 as well as being the recipient of that organization’s 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award. Woj was Pratt Community College’s President for 25 years before retiring in 2013. Three years before that retirement, Pratt Community College honored him with the dedication of its most newly constructed Dr. William Wojciechowski Hall Apartments in 2010.
Woj certainly did not subscribe to the motto of all work and no play; he lived a balanced life placing God, family, and friends above everything else. As a devoted Catholic he served in many churches as an eucharistic minister and missing a mass was a rarity. As a father, he mentored his children, attended their school events, and very often visited them and their families after they became adults. Woj was also an avid traveler whose mission was to see the world. He visited all 50 states, numerous U.S. territories, six continents, and over 30 countries with Terri by his side, his friends often coming along, and his family sometimes joining him. Both during his travels as well as with family and friends, Woj would never say no to a good, chilled gin martini or nice glass of wine.
After he retired for the second time, he moved to Arizona and then to The Villages following Terri’s passing in 2022. As a Villager, he was a member of The American Legion, The Military Officers Association and The Villagers for Veterans. While living in The Villages, he met Priscilla Baker who brought him love, companionship, and a new happiness. Woj continued to enjoy his travels with Priscilla in addition to watching sports, listening to music, seeing shows, dinning out, and participating in many other activities with her.
Woj is survived by his five children: Daniel J. Wojciechowski and wife Stephanie, Jill A. McAdams and husband Kyle, Marc J. Wojciechowski, Katrina Minor and husband Jimmy, and Scott W. Wojciechowski and wife Carol; adopted daughter: Cynthia Henderson and husband Gordon; grandchildren: Ashley and Katie, Christopher and wife Nicole, Heidi, Holly and husband Joe, Ivan, Justin and wife Chrystina, Micheal and wife Callie, Miranda and husband Cole, Todd and wife Jocelyn, and William; and great grandchildren: Blakelyn, Ellie, James, Kaden, Kaylee, Lyla, Mackenzie, Ryleigh, and Theodore.
Consistent with placing others before him, Woj would prefer that those who want to show him their respects do it not with flowers, but with a donation to the City of St. Jude, 2048 W Fairview Ave., Montgomery, Alabama 36108 (https://www.cityofstjude.org/).
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