William John Vohaska, 75, loving husband of Barbara; beloved father of Bill (Cheryl), John, David (Sherri); dearest grandfather of four; fond brother of Jerry.
A leader, both on and off the field, that is Bill Vohaska, candidate for the 1951 Athlete of the Year award.
Vohaska, 1950 Illinois football captain, only weighed 182 pounds but was good enough to be named to the AP first string All-American offensive football team.
Vohaska became the 14th Illinois All-American player and its first who was a center.
This likeable senior possessed all of the qualities demanded from a good T-formation pivot.
Linemen praised his fast initial blocking charges while Illini quarterbacks lauded Bill's quick snap of the ball from center.
It was Vohaska who sparked the Illini with his constant chatter.
Once the ball was snapped, he became a hard charging, aggressive blocker in Illinois fast moving front line.
When the going got tough and Illinois needed that extra defensive punch, it was Vohaska who answered the call.
He was light for a linebacker, but competing backs will agree that Bill was one of the hardest hitting tacklers in the conference.
Vohaska, a product of Riverside, Illinois was described by Illini line coach Burt Ingwersen, as a flawless ball handler and exceptional at opening holes in the opponent line.
Head coach Ray Eliot paid his 1950 captain a noteworthy compliment by stating, "Undoubtedly he's the finest player I have ever coached".
Eliot said, "Vohaska is a hard worker, a hustler and a perfectionist. I've never seen a boy who takes his work more seriously than he does". Article by, Bob Glass.
Vohaska was a four sport athlete at Morton High School, Cicero, IL. Besides playing football at Illinois, Bill managed to earn Varsity Letters in wrestling during his sophomore and junior years . Incidentally , wrestling is his favorite hobby but he passed it up last fall to play in the Pineapple bowl in Hawaii on January 7. In January this year Vohaska was named as the second best center who ever played at Illinois by sports writers and fans.
Founder of the Riverside Day Camp in 1948, a summer camp to promote sports and outdoor education. An All-American football player for the University of Illinois, Bill Vohaska Sr. was studying to be a coach and teacher in the 1940s when he got an idea while home in Riverside for the summer. He posted signs in popular west side storefronts advertising a sports camp. A few local kids signed up, and a business was born.
He also was a Teacher and Coach at both Morton East and Morton West High Schools and Morton Jr. College from 1954 till 1994. Affectionately called Mr. ''V''.
Visitation Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005 3 to 9 p.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside, Illinois.
Funeral Services, Monday, January 3, 2005, 11:00 a.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington Street, Riverside, Illinois.
Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL.
Info at www.ivinsfuneralhome.com, or call 708-447-2261.
Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Dec. 31, 2004 to Jan. 2, 2005
A leader, both on and off the field, that is Bill Vohaska, candidate for the 1951 Athlete of the Year award.
Vohaska, 1950 Illinois football captain, only weighed 182 pounds but was good enough to be named to the AP first string All-American offensive football team.
Vohaska became the 14th Illinois All-American player and its first who was a center.
This likeable senior possessed all of the qualities demanded from a good T-formation pivot.
Linemen praised his fast initial blocking charges while Illini quarterbacks lauded Bill's quick snap of the ball from center.
It was Vohaska who sparked the Illini with his constant chatter.
Once the ball was snapped, he became a hard charging, aggressive blocker in Illinois fast moving front line.
When the going got tough and Illinois needed that extra defensive punch, it was Vohaska who answered the call.
He was light for a linebacker, but competing backs will agree that Bill was one of the hardest hitting tacklers in the conference.
Vohaska, a product of Riverside, Illinois was described by Illini line coach Burt Ingwersen, as a flawless ball handler and exceptional at opening holes in the opponent line.
Head coach Ray Eliot paid his 1950 captain a noteworthy compliment by stating, "Undoubtedly he's the finest player I have ever coached".
Eliot said, "Vohaska is a hard worker, a hustler and a perfectionist. I've never seen a boy who takes his work more seriously than he does". Article by, Bob Glass.
Vohaska was a four sport athlete at Morton High School, Cicero, IL. Besides playing football at Illinois, Bill managed to earn Varsity Letters in wrestling during his sophomore and junior years . Incidentally , wrestling is his favorite hobby but he passed it up last fall to play in the Pineapple bowl in Hawaii on January 7. In January this year Vohaska was named as the second best center who ever played at Illinois by sports writers and fans.
Founder of the Riverside Day Camp in 1948, a summer camp to promote sports and outdoor education. An All-American football player for the University of Illinois, Bill Vohaska Sr. was studying to be a coach and teacher in the 1940s when he got an idea while home in Riverside for the summer. He posted signs in popular west side storefronts advertising a sports camp. A few local kids signed up, and a business was born.
He also was a Teacher and Coach at both Morton East and Morton West High Schools and Morton Jr. College from 1954 till 1994. Affectionately called Mr. ''V''.
Visitation Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005 3 to 9 p.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside, Illinois.
Funeral Services, Monday, January 3, 2005, 11:00 a.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington Street, Riverside, Illinois.
Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL.
Info at www.ivinsfuneralhome.com, or call 708-447-2261.
Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Dec. 31, 2004 to Jan. 2, 2005
William John Vohaska, 75, loving husband of Barbara; beloved father of Bill (Cheryl), John, David (Sherri); dearest grandfather of four; fond brother of Jerry.
A leader, both on and off the field, that is Bill Vohaska, candidate for the 1951 Athlete of the Year award.
Vohaska, 1950 Illinois football captain, only weighed 182 pounds but was good enough to be named to the AP first string All-American offensive football team.
Vohaska became the 14th Illinois All-American player and its first who was a center.
This likeable senior possessed all of the qualities demanded from a good T-formation pivot.
Linemen praised his fast initial blocking charges while Illini quarterbacks lauded Bill's quick snap of the ball from center.
It was Vohaska who sparked the Illini with his constant chatter.
Once the ball was snapped, he became a hard charging, aggressive blocker in Illinois fast moving front line.
When the going got tough and Illinois needed that extra defensive punch, it was Vohaska who answered the call.
He was light for a linebacker, but competing backs will agree that Bill was one of the hardest hitting tacklers in the conference.
Vohaska, a product of Riverside, Illinois was described by Illini line coach Burt Ingwersen, as a flawless ball handler and exceptional at opening holes in the opponent line.
Head coach Ray Eliot paid his 1950 captain a noteworthy compliment by stating, "Undoubtedly he's the finest player I have ever coached".
Eliot said, "Vohaska is a hard worker, a hustler and a perfectionist. I've never seen a boy who takes his work more seriously than he does". Article by, Bob Glass.
Vohaska was a four sport athlete at Morton High School, Cicero, IL. Besides playing football at Illinois, Bill managed to earn Varsity Letters in wrestling during his sophomore and junior years . Incidentally , wrestling is his favorite hobby but he passed it up last fall to play in the Pineapple bowl in Hawaii on January 7. In January this year Vohaska was named as the second best center who ever played at Illinois by sports writers and fans.
Founder of the Riverside Day Camp in 1948, a summer camp to promote sports and outdoor education. An All-American football player for the University of Illinois, Bill Vohaska Sr. was studying to be a coach and teacher in the 1940s when he got an idea while home in Riverside for the summer. He posted signs in popular west side storefronts advertising a sports camp. A few local kids signed up, and a business was born.
He also was a Teacher and Coach at both Morton East and Morton West High Schools and Morton Jr. College from 1954 till 1994. Affectionately called Mr. ''V''.
Visitation Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005 3 to 9 p.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside, Illinois.
Funeral Services, Monday, January 3, 2005, 11:00 a.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington Street, Riverside, Illinois.
Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL.
Info at www.ivinsfuneralhome.com, or call 708-447-2261.
Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Dec. 31, 2004 to Jan. 2, 2005
A leader, both on and off the field, that is Bill Vohaska, candidate for the 1951 Athlete of the Year award.
Vohaska, 1950 Illinois football captain, only weighed 182 pounds but was good enough to be named to the AP first string All-American offensive football team.
Vohaska became the 14th Illinois All-American player and its first who was a center.
This likeable senior possessed all of the qualities demanded from a good T-formation pivot.
Linemen praised his fast initial blocking charges while Illini quarterbacks lauded Bill's quick snap of the ball from center.
It was Vohaska who sparked the Illini with his constant chatter.
Once the ball was snapped, he became a hard charging, aggressive blocker in Illinois fast moving front line.
When the going got tough and Illinois needed that extra defensive punch, it was Vohaska who answered the call.
He was light for a linebacker, but competing backs will agree that Bill was one of the hardest hitting tacklers in the conference.
Vohaska, a product of Riverside, Illinois was described by Illini line coach Burt Ingwersen, as a flawless ball handler and exceptional at opening holes in the opponent line.
Head coach Ray Eliot paid his 1950 captain a noteworthy compliment by stating, "Undoubtedly he's the finest player I have ever coached".
Eliot said, "Vohaska is a hard worker, a hustler and a perfectionist. I've never seen a boy who takes his work more seriously than he does". Article by, Bob Glass.
Vohaska was a four sport athlete at Morton High School, Cicero, IL. Besides playing football at Illinois, Bill managed to earn Varsity Letters in wrestling during his sophomore and junior years . Incidentally , wrestling is his favorite hobby but he passed it up last fall to play in the Pineapple bowl in Hawaii on January 7. In January this year Vohaska was named as the second best center who ever played at Illinois by sports writers and fans.
Founder of the Riverside Day Camp in 1948, a summer camp to promote sports and outdoor education. An All-American football player for the University of Illinois, Bill Vohaska Sr. was studying to be a coach and teacher in the 1940s when he got an idea while home in Riverside for the summer. He posted signs in popular west side storefronts advertising a sports camp. A few local kids signed up, and a business was born.
He also was a Teacher and Coach at both Morton East and Morton West High Schools and Morton Jr. College from 1954 till 1994. Affectionately called Mr. ''V''.
Visitation Sunday, Jan. 2, 2005 3 to 9 p.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside, Illinois.
Funeral Services, Monday, January 3, 2005, 11:00 a.m. at Ivins Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington Street, Riverside, Illinois.
Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery, 7750 W. Cermak Road, Forest Park, IL.
Info at www.ivinsfuneralhome.com, or call 708-447-2261.
Published in a Chicago Tribune Media Group Publication from Dec. 31, 2004 to Jan. 2, 2005
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