FREEPORT - Friends and family on Monday remembered William "Bill" Koenig as a man of compassion and generosity.
Koenig, 84, died at about 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005, at the Valley Hospice Home in Scottsdale, Ariz. He was revered as a man who liked to help others but didn't crave recognition in return for his generosity.
Born Sept. 15, 1920, in Freeport, he was the son of Robert F. and Anna May (Rawleigh) Koenig. He married Alice Tateosian April 20, 1946, in Oakland, Calif.
"We've had a very marvelous life together," Alice, 84, his wife of 58 years, said on Monday. "What more can I ask for?"
The couple has two children, Robert George Koenig, 53, and Penny Ann Koenig, 56, both of Scottsdale.
Joy permeates Alice's voice when she speaks of her husband.
"I'm happy, because he's no longer in pain."
Bill and Alice met during World War II, at a USO dance. They lived in Freeport for 43 years before moving to Scottsdale in 2001. They traveled the world together, visiting the countries of Russia, Belgium, Fiji, Tahiti and Holland.
Anna Belle Koenig Nimmo, 81, of Freeport, is Bill's younger sister and the only remaining member of the Robert Franklin Koenig family.
"Bill got his philanthropic (generosity) from mother and dad," Nimmo said. "He was always doing little things for the community, and never liked much publicity."
"He loved sports," she said. "He turned our back yard into an ice rink, and no one knew how he did it. He was always doing oddball things like that, that had to do with the outdoors."
Matt Marvin, 90, of Freeport - a lifelong friend - spoke of Bill's selfless philanthropy.
One memory Marvin holds close is of Bill as a teenager, at about age 16. There was a swarm of bees in a small tree behind the Marvin home, and his family called Bill to fix the problem, because he was renowned for his work with bees, often making house calls for friends who were not so comfortable with the creatures.
"He came over with the outfit he needed, and somehow he was able to entice the queen bee and the entire swarm (into a safe container) within less than an hour," Marvin remembers, with a whisper of smile. "He was well known for the quality of honey he would distribute."
Evidence of the Koenig family's philanthropy is visible all over Freeport, with donations of W.T. Rawleigh, Bill's grandfather, and his parents prominently displayed and documented, said Marvin.
But he said the bulk of Bill's philanthropy was unknown.
"Bill's philanthropies often were quiet and not known by everyone. He gave individually when he saw need," said Marvin.
Mike Chianakas, another close friend, said Bill would sometimes hire workers to make repairs on the homes of families who could not afford to have them fixed. Workers would mysteriously show up and fix the problem, expenses paid.
"He would find out about (someone having trouble) hiring people, and correct the problem," said Chianakas. "He's a legend, as far as I'm concerned."
Dennis Bokemeier of Freeport worked for Bill for five summers making honey from bees.
They went on trips together every summer for two weeks at a time, collecting honey in three states. Bill's passion for bee charming has made a lasting impression on Bokemeier.
"I still raise bees," he said.
Bokemeier visited the Koenigs recently in Scottsdale, and said Bill told him he missed Freeport.
Bill's influence in the area also extended to Highland Community College, which he is credited for helping to plan.
Susan Atherton, executive director of Highland Community College, knew Bill for more than 14 years.
"I will fondly remember his gruff exterior and heart of gold," she said. "I'm deeply saddened by Bill's passing; HCC and HCC Foundation will miss him."
Lillian and Ed Osran of Evanston, friends of Bill and Alice, were saddened by news of his death.
"He was a great humanitarian who had much pride in his beloved Freeport," Lillian Osran said. "He exemplified this by having everyone enjoy the equal rights and opportunities that he so believed in and so generously contributed to."
Surviving are Bill's wife, Alice; daughter, Penny Ann Koenig; son, Robert G. Koenig all of Scottsdale; and one sister, Anna Belle Nimmo of Freeport.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; and brothers, Tom and Wilbur Koenig.
Services will be 10 a.m. Monday at Bethany United Church of Christ. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery & Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday at Bethany United Church of Christ.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Kiwanis and Hospice.