William Aron Isidor Bjorkholm

Born July 20, 1921, in Jamestown, he was the only son of Swedish immigrants Egidius I. and Marie T. Johanson Bjorkholm.

Bill was a 1939 graduate of Jamestown High School where his passion for music developed, as he was a gifted trumpet player in the

high school band. Following high school, Bill played with various bands, including the Wizzy Johnson Orchestra.

Enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942, while a young draftsman at Dahlstrom Manufacturing, he became part of military intelligence, studying the German language at Cornell University, and was stationed in Germany and surrounding countries. William received several medals including the Purple Heart.

Returning to Jamestown after World War II, he married Dorothy V. Gustafson on June 7, 1947, at Bethel Lutheran Church. William and Dorothy celebrated 68 years of marriage. He continued his love of music as the couple enjoyed dancing and Bill would often sing with the

band. Bill also enjoyed learning, receiving his associate’s degree from Jamestown Community College, and continued to take classes in various areas of interest. Another of Bill’s passions was speaking other languages and appreciating different cultures. He also enjoyed golf

and bowling. Bill retired from Jamestown Metal Manufacturing in 1986. A member of the Norden Club of Jamestown, he also belonged to the Vikings, where he was a past member of the Viking Male Chorus, Thule Lodge, Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, Lakewood American Legion, War Vets, and was former member of First Lutheran Church and Bethel Lutheran Church, where he sang in the church choir.

A devoted husband and loving father and grandfather, he is survived by his wife, Dorothy; two daughter: Cynthia (Bruce) Lawson of Chichester, N.H. and Karen (the late Manuel) Leeper of Jamestown, N.Y.; granddaughters: Erika (Tom) Frick of Fredericksburg, Va., and Amanda (Tony) Lombardi of Chichester, N.H.; and five great-grandchildren: Jakob, Kalina and Gwenyth Frick of Fredericksburg, and Annabelle and Mackenzie Lombardi of Chichester. The funeral service will be held Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at 2 p.m. in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Alan W. Anderson, pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery.

Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service, from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2. Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, 904 W. Third St., or the James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., both Jamestown, NY 14701.

You may leave condolences for Bill’s family at www.lindfuneralhome.com.